THE Comet is the best of the best – and that s official. Your favourite newspaper beat the rest to be acclaimed the top read in the region. It scooped the accolade of Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Free) at the second EDF Energy Media Awards for the East o

THE Comet is the best of the best - and that's official.

Your favourite newspaper beat the rest to be acclaimed the top read in the region.

It scooped the accolade of Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Free) at the second EDF Energy Media Awards for the East of England held in association with HoldtheFrontPage.

And it became a double celebration at the awards ceremony in Suffolk on Friday when our website team, who produce

www.thecomet.net saw off strong competition to take the title of Website of the Year.

Judges noted that The Comet had had a busy year on the campaigns front, fighting to save services at Lister Hospital, battling against the closure of Letchworth Post Office and raising money for the Garden House Hospital, among many causes. They liked the Comet's "strong, eye-catching front pages", while its overall content was described as "engaging" and with a "strong community feel".

The judges said they plumped for a paper which "demonstrated it had good, positive coverage and seemed to speak up for its area. It was also praised for its good use of pictures and variety of content."

Comet editor Darren Isted said: "It's very pleasing to win an award such as this as it shows that within our industry we are adjudged to be doing all the right things.

"But to be honest I am more concerned with the views of our readers as they are the people who guide our coverage. As long as we receive letters and feedback on all the big issues in Comet country then that's as good as an award every week.

"With our charity commitments and Lister campaign there is another tough year ahead fighting for the things which the people of Comet country value."

Judges described www.thecomet.net as being "of an excellent standard which was a pleasure to browse with wonderful video clips from readers. It is a website which really draws the eye and makes it ideal for grazing".

Also shortlisted in the hard-fought category was the BBC Norfolk website, www.eadt.co.uk and www.thepinkun.co.uk.

Web editor for Archant Herts and Cambs, Sam Newby-Ricci, said: "To emerge as a winner against such prestigious opposition was a real shock. We have been working hard to try and make www.thecomet.net deliver quality online news, sport and features and to have this recognised was a real boost.

"The team working on the sites are passionate about making them work for both our readers and our advertisers and we hope that in 2007, our online presence will go from strength to strength.