The Somerset County Gazette has produced the biggest issue in the paper's 168-year history.

The 160-page edition included a record Homelife property supplement, which ran at 64 pages.

It also contained a 16-page Nativity plays special, featuring more than 90 photos from local schools.

"To start the year with a record-breaking Gazette is fantastic," said editor-in-chief Ken Bird.

"The team pulled out all the stops and have been rewarded with a cracking paper."

The County Gazette, which is based in Taunton, was named Newsquest's Weekly Newspaper of the Year in 2003 - the second time in three years it had carried off the award.

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