A YOUNG teenager is leaving her mark on the history of Maryport.

Isla Hadden is only 14 but is showing promise both as a researcher and a reporter.

She was one of Cumbria Newspaper’s young reporters - selected for a report on Parkway, Workington’s new cinema.

Recently she has been gaining some working experience with Maryport Town Council and has impressed the clerks, Lisa Douglas and Paul Bramley, to the extent that they nominated her as a person of the week.

One of her major contributions during her time at the council was researching Maryport’s rich Roman history and other research about the town which is considered an important site worldwide for its role in Roman military history and the farthest flung outpost of the Roman Empire.

She has also compiled information about the Maryport Promenade.

These will go on heritage boards such as those on Shipping Brow which highlights the town’s history and its attractions.

A student at Netherhall School in Maryport, Isla said she was considering a career in journalism but admitted that she had not made any commitments to the future at this stage in her life.

Netherhall School entered the Young Reporter Scheme for the first time this year.

Isla was one of 1,100 students taking part and the fact that her article was chosen as one of the finalists was a huge source of pride to the school.

While Isla has shown here talent both as a researcher and a writer, it is music that remains her first love.

Her taste is eclectic, ranging from Elvis Presley through Billy Joel to heavy metal such as the music of Guns ‘n’ Roses.

She has five guitars and a banjo and plays them all. She was involved in bands at Netherhall. She started playing guitar at a young age and also has a passion for drama.

“I was brought up with music and it is my first passion,” she said.

*The Young Reporter Scheme has been running since 2008 in partnership with Newsquest Media Group, which includes Cumbria Newspapers. It is a quality programme, delivering lectures and teachings to help mould young people, not only into the world of the media, but also into worthwhile careers for the future.