A couple from Essex have spent a day at the offices of the Gazette and Chronicle after winning the prize at a charity auction.

Garry Driver and Debbie Stacey got an inside view into a day in the life as a journalist after Debbie's father put in the highest bid of £150 at a silent auction to raise money for Brentwood Foyer.

Debbie said: "My dad gave us the prize, because he knows we are interested in finding out about new things and like to ask all sorts of questions to find out more.

"From seeing the pages put together on computer screens and then seeing them come off the printers as a newspaper, just a couple of hours later was amazing. It certainly makes you realise the hard work which goes into the paper each week."

Garry added: "It is quite an eye opener to see how large the company is behind the Gazette and Chronicle.

"From the journalists to the support staff, to the photographers, to the editors to the advertising team. The structure is amazing."

Gazette editor Roger Watkins said: "It was a great pleasure playing host to Garry and Debbie for the day.

"They were keen to learn all about how the paper functions and the work we do."

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