Four successful journalists who all passed the autumn 2004 NCE have been singled out for special excellence awards for their work.

Lena Davis, a journalist on the Slough Observer won the Society of Editors' award for the best news interview.

Examiners said: "Lena's story was one of three excellent pieces considered for this prize.

"However, examiners placed it top as the story provided a comprehensive account for readers, was beautifully structured and written in a good racy news style - a worthy winner."

John Brenan of the Worcester Evening News won the Esso award for producing the best speech story.

The examiners said: "The candidate not only understood the content of the speech but translated this into a well-balanced and interesting story, which was accurate, contained all the essential information and highly readable.

"Good use was also made of factual background material that was provided as part of the reporter's briefing."

Paul Taylor from the Macclesfield Express won the Ted Bottomley award, sponsored by the Midland News Association, for the best newspaper practice paper.

The examiners said: "It was consistently good newspaper practice in response to the challenges in all three of the questions he tackled that impressed us. Basically, his answers suggested the actions we'd like to think our own reporters would take if faced with those scenarios."

The best logbook was submitted by Jonathan Dodds, a reporter on the Buxton Advertiser.

The examiners said: "This logbook was a credit to the candidate and his trainer: well-presented, fully detailed and packed with excellent cuttings demonstrating Jonathan's ability to handle stories from all the Key Task areas with flair and confidence."

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