News report featured one of the most topical national issues at the present time - teenage binge-drinking.

Candidates were told that the Government had just revealed national statistics showing the number of teenagers needing medical treatment after binge-drinking had risen by nearly 15 per cent since the introduction of 24-hour licensing (or changes in licensing hours in Scotland).

They were given comments from the chief constable of Accleton City Police and the chief executive of the Greater Accleton NHS Trust, together with a press release from the city's Alcoholics Anonymous branch.

The speech was given by the city's Conservative MP (MSP if in Scotland) Sir David Rodgers (Lady Davina Rodgers if a woman) in response to the Government statistics.

Key details the candidates needed in their stories included: • MP (MSP if in Scotland) to ask questions in Parliament the following week with the intention of seeking £2million additional Government funding for the city's overstretched emergency services to cover the cost of dealing with teenage bingedrinking • There is more drunken vandalism and anti-social behaviour in Accleton than in most other towns and cities in the UK • Statistics for the previous Saturday night, of which three-quarters related to inebriated teenagers • Police service stretched to its limit and an ambulance service having to call for assistance from neighbouring NHS trusts • £2m cost of addressing the effects of teenage binge-drinking in Accleton • Police threat to shut down any licensed premises selling alcohol to youngsters The material provided potential for a front page lead and many candidates produced hardhitting stories which covered all the key points, included strong emotive quotes and gave a good mix of the hand-out material and speech.

The markers found a disappointing number of candidates who did not think the statistics relating to Saturday night should be included, or ignored the MP's (MSP's if in Scotland) plan to demand £2million more cash from the Government for the city's emergency services.

Editors would not be happy if their reporters ignored such essential detail.

The usual bunch of errors crept in.

Mis-spelling of names and places which were given in the written brief was inexcusable.

Accleton became Accelton, Appleton and even Acton.

Similarly the MP (MSP if in Scotland) Sir David Rodgers was described as Sir Rodgers, Sir Rogers or even Mr Rodgers.

It was worrying that so many candidates did not know how to refer to someone with a title, even on occasion compounding this error by leaving the 'd' out of his name.

Quotes were generally well identified but poor shorthand was again a problem for some candidates.

Shorthand is a key skill of a good reporter and the markers can't emphasise enough the need to keep it up to a minimum of 100wpm.

Trainees would be well-advised to undergo shorthand refresher training in the run-up to their NCE.

Some of the mistakes encountered by the markers would have been picked up by the candidates if they had allowed themselves time to read through their stories.

Those candidates who passed this exam deserve to be congratulated on their efforts.

They demonstrated sound reporting and good news sense.

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