The BBC has laid out “ambitious” new plans to expand its local democracy reporting service, recruiting new reporters to cover local councils as well as extending coverage to magistrates’ and sheriffs’ courts.

But the expansion is entirely dependent on the scheme, which is funded and run by the BBC, with the help of the News Media Association, finding new sources of financial support from outside the corporation.

To this end a new standalone non-profit body will be established to run the Local News Partnership, which includes the 150 local democracy reporters, a shared data unit and a news hub for content.