Newsround's most famous presenters gather for 50th anniversary photo

Watch: John Craven looks back over 50 years of Newsround

Newsround is celebrating 50 years on screen by gathering together some of its most famous presenters over the decades for an anniversary photo.

The CBBC children's news programme's first and most famous presenter and editor John Craven sits at the centre of the group, surrounded by other hosts from the past five decades including Julie Etchingham, Lizo Mzimba, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Ore Oduba and Ellie Crisell.

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Launched in 1972 by Craven, the show aims to inform children about topics in the news in a simple and accessible way, and has seen stars including Channel 4 newsreader Guru-Murthy, ITV newsreader Etchingham, BBC entertainment correspondent Mzimba, and BBC sports reporter and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Oduba.

Newsround will also mark its 50th birthday by introducing the first-ever British Sign Language version of the show which will air once a day from this spring, and is bringing back Press Pack - a chance for aspiring young journalists to apply to be reporters for the programme.

Craven said of launching Newsround in 1972: "Our aim was to make it short, simple without being simplistic and, most of all, interesting. We also wanted to make the show not feel 'stuffy' so there was no conventional newsdesk and I wore casual clothing.

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"Who would have believed that this little experiment in news for children, the first in the world, would still be going strong after half a century? Certainly not me.

"Newsround’s role is more vital than ever today, when there is such easy access to false news and information; children can always be assured that Newsround will tell them the truth. I’m very proud of what we created 50 years ago and how it is still seen by many as an essential part of the fabric of British childhood. I’m sure Newsround will continue to grow and flourish during the next 50 years."

There will also be two Newsround specials this year, one about Britain and the Empire and another about the Queen, as well as an extended birthday episode on Monday at 7.45am on CBBC which will include archive footage from the last 50 years and former presenters talking about what the show means to them.

Newsround airs daily on CBBC and is also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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