Lucky Chris Horsnell's paper round just got a whole lot easier.

On his bike - paper boy Chris Horsnell with Rollerworld's Andy Starr and Steve Ainley, the Gazette's newspaper sales manager. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (40209-a)

The 14-year-old has been voted Paperboy of the Year by Gazette readers for his friendly smile and politeness out on his round in Great Clacton.

He beat off stiff competition from 600 other Gazette paperboys and girls to scoop a brilliant new bike donated by Rollerworld in Colchester.

Chris, a pupil at Clacton County High School, didn't even know he'd won when he went to pick up his prize.

Gazette area sales manager Jan Clarke said: "It was a complete surprise his family had kept it a secret."

She added: "He needed a new bike. His old one was on the way out."

Published Friday, December 24, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette