Reporter to compete in top Press challenge (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Reporter to compete in top Press challenge

Rachel WilliamsAMBITIOUS young Gazette reporter Rachel Williams has been named as one of ten finalists in a nationwide search for the editorial stars of tomorrow.

The media industry bible Press Gazette has launched a competition in the style of Sir Alan Sugar's programme The Apprentice.

If Rachel, 20, wins she will get a 12-month contract working for the Press Gazette in London setting her well on the way to a high-flying career.

Rachel, who moved to Chippenham from West Sussex to work for the Gazette last July, heard the good news on Tuesday.

She said: "I just can't believe it I am absolutely gobsmacked. I never expected to get through, especially as I only heard about the competition last week."

She has to prove herself by undertaking a number of journalistic tasks under the watchful eye of top editors and journalists.

Today she is in London and will be set her first weekly assignment.

Each week two wannabes will be evicted from the contest until just two remain. They will both win training contracts with the Press Gazette.

Rachel's work will be constantly scrutinised and the entire media industry will be able to chart her progress in the Press Gazette.

The tasks will be set and judged by Conor McNicholas, the editor of New Musical Express; John Dale, the editor of Take A Break; Mark Calvert, editor of Five News and Sue Ryan, managing editor of The Daily Telegraph.

Follow Rachel's progress in the Gazette and Herald.