The first Facebook-funded journalist in Cumbria has started work at Newsquest's Carlisle offices.

Rebecca Henrys is working with the team producing the News & Star and The Cumberland News as a community reporter.

The role marks a happy homecoming for the 22-year-old - and a great chance for her to pursue her career in the area in which she grew up.

She had moved to London to become a journalist, but has returned home after seizing a special opportunity to continue her training with her own local newspapers - while also benefitting from cutting-edge support from some of the brightest minds in social media.

Facebook is funding about 80 community reporters in the UK through a £4.5m charitable donation to the NCTJ to support a two-year community news project with regional publishers, which also aims to bring more diversity into newsrooms.

Rebecca's role will see her champion bringing even more diverse voices from north Cumbria into coverage in the newspapers and at www.newsandstar.co.uk.

She said: "I feel honoured, to have the opportunity to work for the News & Star and The Cumberland News as a community reporter. It’s an exciting role that brings together traditional and digital journalism to try and get to the heart of issues.

“My entire family - and most people I know read - the News & Star and The Cumberland News, so the chance to write for them and give something back to the community I grew up in means a lot to me.”

Chris Story, editor of the News & Star and The Cumberland News, said: "We're delighted to have the opportunity to work with Facebook and to welcome Rebecca to the team.

"We report a lot on how rural Cumbria struggles to retain much of the young talent it has. Rebecca left the county, fearing she did not have the chance to pursue her career in the way she would like. Her story is one that proves that when the opportunities are here, Cumbrians will return home - and make our communities more diverse and the stronger for it.

"Her determination and interest in the community really stood out for us during the interview progress.

"I am looking forward to Rebecca's role giving a voice to those in pockets of our communities who perhaps feel their views aren't heard often enough."

* To contact Rebecca, email rebecca.henrys@newsquest.co.uk or call 01228 612665