THE Accrington Observer's website has been recognised as one of the best in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The site - www.accringtonobserver.co.uk - was highly commended in the Best Weekly Newspaper Website category at the Newspaper Society Awards, effectively putting it among the top three in the UK.

Website editor Lee Swettenham said: "I'm delighted that the site has been recognised in this way. A lot of work has been put in to make it an essential site for Hyndburn folk both locally and based all over the world, shown by the fact that tens of thousands of people visit the site each month.

"The site will get a brand new look and some great new features in the next few weeks, so it's only going to get better and better for readers."