Budding film makers showcased their work on a local newspaper website in a pilot multimedia competition.

The Northampton Chronicle and Echo received 30 entries for Film Northants 2008 from across the county which it publicised online and in print.

Readers visited the Johnston Press-owned title’s website to view the five-minute films and vote for their favourite.

Eight finalists were then screened at a local cinema at an Oscars-style red carpet night before a horror movie called Confined was crowned the winner.

Chronicle and Echo editor David Summers said: “This would appear to be a first for Johnston Press and the response we had has set a strong foundation for developing it in the future.”

Features editor Lily Canter, who co-ordinated the contest, added: “This has been the perfect way to combine the relatively new website with our historic daily newspaper.

“Our website is growing every day but we still have to find new ways of capturing and keeping hold of audiences in a highly competitive market.

“This has also been a great way of showcasing talent in the county and all the partners and participants are eager to run it again next year.”

To watch the winning films visit the Chronicle and Echo website.