Essex Chronicle photographer Ian Piercy had to step into the breach at a local award ceremony - when the newspaper received a surprise award.

The trainee photographer had been sent by his newspaper to cover a presentation of certificates to organisations and businesses that had been involved in a week-long campaign for disadvantaged children at Essex Scouts' Skreens Park camp site.

But what anyone at the newspaper had failed to realise was that the Chronicle itself was in line for an Essex Scout Partnership Award for its own involvement.

So when the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, called for a representative from the paper to come up onto the stage, a surprised Ian had to step up to collect the accolade.

Fortunately, another photographer was at the presentation evening to capture the moment.

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