Two more young Bermudians have just returned from an intensive four-month course in journalism in the UK bringing the total number of staff sent by The Royal Gazette to seven in five years.

Owain Johnston-Barnes, 28, and Nadia Arandjelovic, 23, were in Newcastle at a training course run by the Press Association, one of the largest and most respected media organisations in the UK.

They studied shorthand, media law and Government as well as key newspaper reporting skills such as interviewing and writing techniques. They were also trained in video journalism and will be due to take their senior exams in about three months.

Ms Arandjelovic said: "It was a really tough course but one that has helped to shape my journalistic skills. I found it hard to begin with, but it was a fantastic opportunity to get some great training from some of the best people in the business."

And Mr. Johnston-Barnes added: "It was much harder than I thought it would be, but having said that I learned a lot and it has really helped me in important areas. I am really grateful to have had the chance to go."

The Royal Gazette has been sending its Bermudian trainees to Newcastle, in the UK's north east, since 2005 and in that time it has sent seven staff members to the course at a cost to the newspaper of about $150,000.

Those that have already attended the course include Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch, now the newspaper's tourism reporter, and Mikaela Ian Pearman, who is the education reporter. They are two of nine Bermudian news, lifestyle or sports reporters on the paper. Seven other Bermudians are employed as either photographers or on the news desk and editing side of the newspaper operation.

Other Bermudians who have undergone the training in Newcastle include Robyn Skinner, who is now a freelance travel writer and writes a travel column for the paper which appears every Monday.

The Royal Gazette Editor, Bill Zuill said he was proud of the achievements of members of staff who have undertaken the Newcastle course.

"There is no doubt that the Press Association course asks a lot of its students, but they all come back much better for the experience. We take training seriously at the newspaper and this plays an integral part in the training process.

"As far as I know we are the only media organisation in Bermuda that has committed to this level of training, which has come at a considerable financial cost.

"But despite that cost, we are committed to continuing this level of support for our junior reporting staff and hope to be able to send another trainee in the very near future."