A weekly title which “never rests on its laurels” has won a company award.

The Huntington-based Hunts Posts was crowned product or service of the year at the Archant Herts and Cambs annual divisional awards, beating competition from the Harlow Herald and Cambridgeshire Agenda magazine.

Herts and Cambs MD Stuart McCreery said: “The Hunts Post is central to almost everything that takes place in its circulation area, boasting an impressive list of community campaigns and achievements over the last 12 months.

“Its depth of coverage demonstrates the lengths its journalists will go to help readers understand local issues and its strength in the advertising marketplace has enabled it to continue to be a profitable title, despite extremely difficult trading conditions.

“This is a newspaper that never rests on its laurels and it’s no wonder that it continues to keep clear water between itself and its rivals.”

Saffron Walden Reporter journalist Alistair Nelson was named the Herts and Cambs editorial person of the year for “consistently producing” exclusive stories.

Mr McCreery added: “When an invitation came from Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell MP for a reporter to join him on a trip to Afghanistan in July, Alistair stepped up to the plate.

“As a result of his trip he produced a series of stories to rival any national, including a front page splash for the sister daily paper the EADT.

“Alistair is a brave, enthusiastic and talented reporter and is a thoroughly deserving winner of this category.”

Alistair receives his award from editorial director Paul Richardson

Employee of the year went to web designer Michelle Fosbrook who single-handedly designs the majority of the Herts and Cambs news websites.

Mr McCreery said: “She is proficient at constructing digital editions, has implemented the framework for the highly successful E-shot email marketing system and can work around any request that the editors will throw at her.

“Despite an enormous workload, her pace and precision never falters, nor does her smile.”