The Autumn 2000 NCE results have been announced - showing only a 35 per cent pass rate.

The figure is worse than the Spring results this year, which managed a pass rate of 40 per cent - criticised as the worst for 25 years.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists awarded the National Certificate to 77 candidates out of the 220 who sat the exam.

Last year, 51 per cent of candidates passed in April and 49 per cent in September.

Individual awards include:

Society of Editors' Award
(News Interview - £250)
Carolyn Donohue, Pocklington Post

Esso Award
(Speech - £250)
Aidan Radnedge, Croydon Advertiser

Ted Bottomley Award
(Newspaper Practice - £250)
Alison Lewis, Stockton Times

There were also a number of annual awards.