The “stars” were out in force for the second annual Kent Messenger GroupAwards night themed on the rock and roll years.

Hosted by “Smashie and Nicie” – group ad manager, Simon Clubley and KM radiomanager, Phil Lines – almost 400 staff from the group’s 20 offices glammedup for the evening at the Jarvis Great Danes Hotel, near Maidstone.

Billed as “bigger and better”, there were 48 categories, covering editorialand advertising, IT, systems, production and a number of special awards.

But it was the snappers who stole the show! Disguised as the Three Degrees,photographers Paul Dennis, Grant Falvey and Matthew Reading – teetered offwith the prize for best fancy dress.

KM Group managing director, David Lewis, turned up as Elton John, editorialmanager, Simon Irwin as a glam rocker, and managing editor, Ron Green, as aTeddy Boy.

The editorial team from the Gravesend Messenger transformed themselves intothe cast from Grease, and Kent Today’s subs all turned up as Sonny and Cher!

Disco diva, Gloria Gaynor – a.k.a. Kent Courts Reporting Agency editor, DebbieEales – walked off with the writer of the year award for her work on MedwayToday.

Justin Penrose – also on Medway Today – scooped trainee of the year, plusfirst and third prize for best offbeat story.

Medway Today’s Nikki White won columnist of the year and the East KentMercury’s Graham Jones bagged sports writer of the year.

In the photographic department, Grant Falvey scooped two firsts – image ofthe year and, for the second year running, sports photographer of the year.

KM veteran snapper, John Wardley, was awarded news photographer of the yearand Stuart Thomas walked off with the prize for best freelance photographer.

The Herne Bay Gazette won best front page, while campaign of the year wentto the Gravesend Messenger.

The Kent Messenger won the award for title of the year.