Two York Evening Press staff have become the country's first newspaper workers to pass print exams after studying online.

York & County Press, which publishes the Evening Press, last January became the first newspaper company in the UK to undertake online print training - through Leeds College of Technology's Print Media Online Project.

This method of learning allows press hall workers to learn online and sit exams on site with the a tutor from the college in attendance.

It was expected to take a year for the first students to pass City & Guilds Level 2 Machine Print but the first two passed two months early.

Printing assistants Simon Harrison and Tony Newsholme passed their final exams to become the first two successful candidates in the UK.

Many other learners - Mark Bond, Andy Dixon, Paul Hardcastle and Graham Healey - are hot on their heels and two new candidates have enrolled this month.

Evening Press training manager Helen Hora said: "The course is designed for print workers to improve their knowledge and gain qualifications flexibly, without having to attend college.

"Studying can take place at work or at home, when it suits the learner."

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