Former hostage Terry Waite has praised the Brentwood Gazette Series at its annual Achievement over Adversity awards.

Mr Waite applauded the Gazette for making the event possible and said: "Newspapers don't always get it right, but the Gazette has got it right by putting something in to the community and by being part of the community."

This year's Brentwood Gazette Series/Susie Cornell Achievement over Adversity Awards were held at The Waterfront Place in Chelmsford.

Now in their seventh year, the awards recognise adults and children who have had to face major difficulties in their lives - such as illness, disability or any major obstacle.

They were launched by Gazette newspapers and local woman Susie Cornell, who won recognition for her own campaigning health work and a personal battle with multiple sclerosis.

Readers of the Gazette, its sister paper the Essex Chronicle, and listeners to BBC Essex made nominations for the awards, and winners received trophies, certificates and a cash prize.

Susie, who was the inspiration behind the awards, said before the ceremony, "Terry Waite is a man of incredible courage and his presence at the ceremony will make our millennium year awards particularly special."

Former Special Envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury Terry Waite won worldwide respect for his bravery while being held hostage in Beirut for five years.

After handing over the awards, Mr Waite was taken by surprise by being given a medal and certificate himself by one of the young achievers.

"All of those receiving awards have made the best of their circumstances and have shown that suffering need not destroy hope. We can be inspired by the example they have shown," he said.

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