Staff at the Bracknell News have won praise from their town after organising the first ever Pride of Bracknell Awards.

Stars of TV’s EastEnders and civic leaders were at the glitzy ceremony when a series of unsung heroes from the Berkshire town were honoured.

The night was one of high emotion as the winners were announced by comperes Henry Kelly and Andrew Peach from BBC Radio Berkshire.

Bracknell News editor Joe Wise said: “We were humbled by the stories behind the nominations – a mum who asked for her young son to be honoured because he had saved her life, a football team who successfully gave the kiss of life to a team mate when he collapsed with a heart attack – and a mother who has raised half a million pounds to fund a holiday home for seriously ill children – an idea by her own nine year old son who died on the very day the appeal was launched.”

Staff at the paper spent six months working on the project – winning sponsorship from the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership.