Shoppers using the green tokens in Surbiton’s Waitrose store have supported the brightest teenage journalists by providing prizes for the Newsquest young reporter scheme.

Waitrose Surbiton Community Matters spokeswoman Jean Cook: “We always aim to be part of the community in which we serve and this is a fantastic opportunity for young people in the area.”

Running from September through to April each year, the scheme offers students the opportunity to try their skills as journalists working for the online Local Guardian and Surrey Comet. Last year, almost 800 students took part.

Diana Jarvis, who runs the programme, said: “There is little opportunity for non-graduate students to find work experience on a newspaper and this opens doors to them that otherwise wouldn’t be accessible.”

The scheme is open to years 10 to 13 from all schools in the area, and students have to write eight articles over a period of eight months.

Those that complete the task receive a letter of congratulations, that they can use with their CVs and UCAS applications.

For more information, email Diana Jarvis at djarvis@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8722 6378.