Five of the successful journalists from recent National Certificate Examinations have received cash prizes for their outstanding work in the NCEs.

Caroline Boyd, of the Newark Advertiser, received the Society of Editors’ award for her news interview paper.

The examiners said: “Caroline demonstrated all the qualities of a good interviewer by taking a detailed, rather than superficial, interest in the events and its characters.

“She then reported the story with a simple clarity, drawing out the tension of the situation with a well organised structure and evocative quotes.”

The Esso award was given to Andrew Whelan from The Argus, in Brighton, who the examiners said was the clear winner of the best news report.

They said: “He demonstrated maturity and ability in combining the factual information from the brief with the content of the speech into a strong story, which read well from intro to final par.

“All the key points were included in an easily accessible style, together with an accurate selection of the best quotes.”

The Crawley Observer’s Matthew Gaw won the award for the best newspaper practice paper.

The examiners said: “Matthew combined a very thorough, analytical law answer with two comprehensive and imaginative newspaper practice answers.

“As candidates have access to McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists we demand a high standard of answers and this candidate produced a near faultless law answer.”

Malvern Gazette reporter Tarik Alrasheed received the Newsquest award for the best logbook.

The examiners said: “Tarik compiled a model logbook, faultlessly presented and containing excellent submissions for the key tasks which clearly demonstrated that he had received thorough training in all the required areas.”

Finally Christopher Amery, from the St Helens Star, received the Pamela Meyrick award which is presented every year to the best NCE candidate working for a newspaper in the North of England or North Wales.

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