The city's newest news agency had its official launch yesterday.

More than 30 volunteers and four paid staff met at Coffee Republic, in Granby Street, to promote the Down Not Out project.

It is aimed at training people who are homeless to become community journalists.

The £140,000 project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and run by Citizens' Eye and Action Homeless.

Reporters will contribute to a magazine, website, radio broadcasts and documentaries, as well as take part in multimedia and journalism training.

Monica Hingorani, project co-ordinator, said: "It's really lovely to be part of something that people feel so passionately about.

"This was the first time that all the volunteers and sub-editors had got together and sat round in a circle and talked about their vision for the news agency."

The project aims to train 100 community reporters over two years – 50 each year.

They will take part in an initial 10-week training course at Phoenix Square and also at the central library and the Leicester Mercury offices.