More than 150 reporters have been successful in the April National Certificate Examination.

Some 280 journalists sat the NCE at 15 centres across the UK, with 155 proving successful - a pass rate of 55 per cent.

To pass and qualify as senior reporters they had to be successful in four different sections: news interview; speech; newspaper practice and logbook.

Candidates must achieve an average of 60 per cent across all four sections to be successful.

For the full list of successful NCE candidates, click here.

The pass rate for the news interview section was 72 per cent, the highest for many years.

Candidates had to investigate a story about possible devil worship at St Mary's Church, Oxdown and an attack on the vicar who interrupted proceedings.

The examiners were impressed with the general quality of stories, and said: "This time round, there were more high scoring papers that were a delight to read. Indeed, editors would be proud to see some of the high standards achieved by their reporters."

In the speech exam, trainees were asked to report on the topical scenario of the closure of post offices, and 68 per cent passed this section.

The newspaper practice paper also saw a 68 per cent pass rate, while 184 candidates passed the logbook section of the NCE - a pass rate of 94 per cent.

Four journalists who all passed the spring 2005 NCE have also been singled out for special excellence awards for their work. To find out more click here.

To be eligible to sit the NCE, trainees must first pass preliminary examinations in practical journalism, media law, public affairs and shorthand at 100wpm.

They also have to complete a minimum of 18 months employment and training with a newspaper and submit a logbook which includes a record of their development, three-monthly assessments for their training period and 34 cuttings of original work for 17 different reporting tasks.

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