CALLING all children and parents!

We know homeschooling and keeping entertained can be tough work at the best of times but under lockdown conditions, even more so.

At the Leader we want to do our bit to help, so we are launching the Leader Press Gang, which aims to get youngsters more engaged and involved with local news and their community.

As part of the young reporters' scheme we would like children to get in touch with us with their own news and pictures.

For example they may want to describe life at home and what they have been doing since schools closed. How they're keeping in touch with friends and family.

They may wish to share pictures of their art projects or baking efforts, show their support for key workers and the NHS, or they may have some advice for other children about how they can cope during the crisis.

Perhaps they want to write their own local news story about something that has happened where they live. Whatever the reason, we want to read about it.

Leader community content editor Claire Pierce said: "I've a 12-year-old at home and once the schoolwork settled into more of a routine and the Xbox novelty wore off, it's been amazing to see things in a new light.

"From the strategy of Battleships, business thinking of Monopoly, to planting in the garden, building confidence in the kitchen and just talking about anything and everything, and that includes the news.

"Local news has never been so important, and is a vital link between communities and the people in them.

"I hope the Leader Press Gang will inspire budding reporters, poets, artists and photographers, and let children engage with and feel part of, their community."

We will be publishing as many contributions as possible in forthcoming editions of the Leader.

If you are a teacher and you would like to share a message of support or inspiration for pupils and students, we would love to hear from you too.

The Leader Press Gang scheme is open to both primary and high school pupils and you are able to submit more than once piece of work. To send in a contribution, email it - subject marked Leader Press Gang - to claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk with your contact details, the name and age of your child and the school they attend, preferably with a photo of them too.