A regional daily has run its first internet-only reader competition.

The Evening Star, in Ipswich, asked readers to send in photographs of their festive lights displays outside their homes.

But instead of running the competition in the paper, readers were directed to the website where they could view all the photographs and vote for their favourite online.

Google Maps technology was used so that voters could see exactly where each entrant lived with the owner of the best display receiving £500 of DIY vouchers.

Sue Gipps, from the Evening Star’s marketing department, said: “We ran an article in the paper and signposted people to the website.

“The Christmas lights competition was the first time we’ve done it totally online.

She said the next foray into the online arena could be the regular bonny baby competition.

“What we would be doing is web and in-paper together so that they complement each other,” she said.