A UNIVERSITY student is celebrating a successful internship with the BBC.

Lauren Duffy, a final year broadcast production and presenting student at the University of Chester's Padgate campus, featured on Newsround after beating off hundreds of other applicants to secure a work placement on the legendary news show.

During the placement, the 21-year-old research stories including a puppy being rescued by Spanish police and subsequently being trained as a police dog - which was featured on the morning bulletin and Newsround's website.

She said: "Getting any work experience in a department within the BBC is extremely difficult.

"You have to demonstrate what you can bring to the role.

"Once my final application review was successful, I was offered a five-minute interview with a senior member of the Newsround team.

"I needed to show all of my skills and just how passionate I was about the opportunity in only five minutes.

"Thankfully, a week after my interview, I was offered the two-week placement.

"After pitching the story, I got in touch with police in Spain and they sent me over the raw footage they had for the story.

"I edited the footage from scratch to Newsround standard, and wrote the graphics for the video too.

"This was uploaded to the Newsround website and it is still online to watch now."

Lauren, from Rainhill, has previously gained presenting experience with Made in Liverpool TV and STV and also has a weekly show on the university's CAT Radio station.

She added: "You learn how much research and production work is needed to produce just a few minutes of great TV.

"To be a presenter and reporter, you have to be multi-skilled and learn everything.

"My course has given me a wider knowledge of broadcasting, which has proved invaluable.

"I have gained the skills you need not only to work in front of the camera, but also to work behind the scenes."

Mark Hannaby, programme leader for broadcast production and presenting and senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Chester, added: "Lauren's success shows how much can be achieved when talent is accompanied with a great work ethic.

"All the department of media staff are delighted that Lauren has had the chance to demonstrate and develop her fine presenting and production skills further with one of the UK's most respected television news programme teams.

"Lauren clearly impressed the Newsround journalists with her hard work and positive attitude.

"She even had work that she sourced, produced and edited, broadcast on BBC television news bulletins and online.

"She has worked very hard indeed and much deserves this wonderful opportunity."