The Somerset County Gazette's coverage of the war in Iraq from a local viewpoint has attracted national attention.

First, chief reporter Phil Hill was interviewed on the Radio Five Live Drive Time show by Hasit Shah.

Then editor-in-chief Ken Bird - pictured above with interviewer Laura Kuenssberg - featured in a live broadcast during BBC2's Daily Politics programme, filmed at the Clarke's Tap pub in Taunton.

Ken said: "We were approached because the newspaper is widely respected and our coverage of the war impressed the programme makers.

"They were particularly keen to discover the views of our readers and people's reactions to the conflict as the Taunton area has a strong military tradition."

Also appearing on Daily Politics was Gail Keane, whose daughter, Jenny Gosling, 23, a private serving in Iraq with the Royal Logistics Corps, was recently featured in the County Gazette.

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