A regional publisher has launched a new service for readers to submit stories – with charity volunteers and PR professionals getting their own bylines in the process.

National World has announced the launch of the ‘Your World’ online portal, which it says aims to “streamline” the process of journalists dealing with contributed material.

So far it has received almost 2,000 submissions, many of which have already been used in print and online across the publisher’s portfolio.

National World says it also “provided several tip-offs that have allowed journalists to delve deeper into an issue with some even making front page splashes”.

A gallery of stories submitted via the Your World platform

Readers interested in submitting a story must register on Your World.

If they are successful, they are given a named byline accompanied by the label ‘Contributor’ when the piece is published.

A gallery of published articles viewed on the Your World site by HTFP showed a number of volunteers and charities have taken advantage of the service, while some of the featured bylines also bear the names of public relations and marketing professionals.

Titles to have made use of the service include the Bucks Herald, Harborough Mail, Lincolnshire World, Milton Keynes Citizen, Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Northamptonshire Telegraph and Sussex World.

A spokesperson for National World told HTFP: “The self-service facility is designed to streamline the whole process of dealing with contributed material, reducing the number of stages it has to go through before appearing in our titles, whether it be online or in print.

“It is hoped the project will also open up other avenues for the unique local copy for which our brands have long been recognised.

“Contributions such as this have been the mainstay of many of our titles for years and we are delighted that Your World now makes it easier for readers to continue this long-standing tradition.”