NEWSQUEST, which publishes this newspaper and website, has shown to have the best-trained reporters in the industry after sweeping the board in the latest batch of journalism exam results.

From the 63 trainee reporters across the UK who took the National Qualification in Journalism in November, 43 passed – recording an average pass rate of 78 per cent.

However, Newsquest accounted for 28 of those with 24 passes – recording a higher than average pass rate of 86 per cent.

Among them was Ellis Whitehouse, of the Maldon and Burnham Standard, who also achieved the highest result in the country in the Media Law exam.

He said: “Reporting in court and inquests is something I’ve really grown to enjoy in this role, and this award shows that I’m clearly doing something right.”

Editorial development director Toby Granville said: “I always thought we had the best journalists in the industry – and results like these prove it.

"Our focus on having the best-trained fully-qualified reporters means that when it comes to trusted news there is no better place to turn to than your local Newsquest newspapers and websites.”