Copies of this year's edition of Apollo together with the two supplements – Artemis and Hermes – were entered into the annual Newsday Challenge and the judges have given some very favourable feedback.

Their comments included:

l what a fantastic newspaper, Whitby

l I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found it hugely impressive

l your use of colour and photographs was particularly effective

l The Artemis supplement was superb, and very professionally executed

l the level of journalism was also very high with serious subjects being tackled with flair

l The Helmand page was great, as was the World Water Day double spread.

Michelle Waudby, the college's learning centre manager, said she was hoping they would be selected to go onto the final stages. She said: "It's the best one that we've produced so far. I've been working on it for the past four years and this one is by far and away the best."

Apollo began in 1992 and the pupils have just one day to produce the finished product.

Ms Waudby added: "The pupils really enjoyed it. Some of the stories were written beforehand and finished off on the day. All the rest of it was produced on the day."

And 18-year-old Jack Taylor, of Sleights, said he had enjoyed being one of four editors of the publications and he would consider journalism as a career.

He said: "I did some journalism and quite a few interviews with people. It was good working with the rest of the team and helping everyone pull together on the day. We have no idea how we will do but I am hoping that we will be in the top three and be invited to London as competition winners."

The newspaper features an interview with former pupil Leon Marshall, who is now a member of the Royal Marines, approached the college and offered to do an interview – which was one of the items highlighted by the judges.

Hazel Tilley (17) of the Barratt Estate also helped with the paper and spent a lot of time writing the content.

"I was in charge of local news with Alice Hughes. We did articles and other things as well," she said.

She added she had not thought of journalism as a career before she took part in the project.

She said: "Knowing that I can write, and get things into the paper, it's something that I'd want to do in the future. I like finding out all the information and talking to people."

The newspaper and the two supplements can be viewed and downloaded by visiting the college's website at www.whitbycc.co.uk

A total of 743 schools entered the competition and the school will find out if it has reached the finals in London a week tomorrow.