Two Evening Echo reporters have picked up coveted journalism awards in a scheme run by brewers Shepheard Neame.
The newspaper provides daily news and sport updates to This Is Essex.
Top men - Evening Echo reporters Gary Pearson and Carl Eve with their awards Picture: LEA FOUNTAIN
Basildon crime reporter Carl Eve was named journalist of the year and Castle Point chief reporter Gary Pearson collected the campaign of the year prize.
Carl's award was a united decision by the judges who described his entry as a "brilliant piece of journalism".
They focused on his coverage of the Danielle Jones murder trial, which judge Stuart Neame said "answered the questions everyone was asking".
Gary Pearson picked up his award at the presentation lunch in Little Baddow for his campaign which called for a fair deal for sick children.
Gary single-handedly ran a campaign after it was revealed the Little Haven Children's Hospice in Thundersley got just £25,000 a year from the Government towards its £1.4million running costs.
Mr Neame, the brewery's vice-chairman, said the campaign "really tugged at the readers heartstrings".
Evening Echo editor Martin McNeill said the rewards were "a testament to the hard work and dedication of Echo staff."
Both winners took home an engraved trophy, a cheque, a framed certificate and a case of Shepherd Neame celebration beer.
Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003
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