Students from North Hertfordshire College arrived at the Comet offices on Monday as they prepare to take over the newspaper.

The 12-strong team have been getting to grips with the media world and following up leads prior to the Big Student News takeover next week.

Readers can look forward to a special edition of next week’s Comet, out on Thursday, April 10, with some surprises in store.

The students have already been preparing stories for the newspaper, which will include an interview with Stevenage’s deputy mayor Sherma Batson and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Gabz.

Student Shardaine Seaton, 17, who is co-editor for the takeover, said: “Our whole takeover team believes that it is great that we have been given this chance to take over a local newspaper. We’re excited to be given this opportunity, something that people our age don’t usually get to experience.

“For me personally, I believe that this experience will really benefit me in the future, be it at university or at work. I’m sure this will be an opportunity I will never forget.”

You can follow the students’ progress by subscribing to their YouTube channel called Big Student Takeover, or via social networking site Twitter using the hashtag #BigStudentTakeover