The regional press in the east of England has received praise for its coverage of the recent bird flu outbreak.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn MP said during a parliamentary debate that the media in Suffolk and Norfolk had done a “very important job” covering the story.

The first outbreak of the flu happened in February with a second last month.

The Eastern Daily Press, which covers the whole of Norwich, followed the story with both news and features in print and online.

They included advice on how the public could help, what Bernard Matthews was doing to curtail the spread of the illness and news from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rural affairs editor Michael Pollitt said: “We covered the outbreaks extensively, both in the paper and on our website.

“The paper printed around two to four pages inside in response to news of the outbreak on the November 13 looking at all the various aspects and implications.

“The last outbreak was virtually in the centre of the bird farming region of the Norfolk and Suffolk border, so it was of huge importance to us and our readers.”