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July 7, 2001
 'This
site has a soul - really local
and up to date with it. It doesn't
just put the paper up on the web'
The EDP's website, EDP24, has been
named Website of the Year in the prestigious UK Press
Gazette awards, contested by Britain's leading local
newspapers.
The website, which launched in February
this year, was the unanimous choice of the judges, who
said it "set the standards for all local papers".
The judges commented on EDP24's
"great depth and understanding of its area and very
high editorial quality".
They added: "This site has a soul
- really local and up to date with it. It doesn't just
put the paper up on the web."
The award was announced at a ceremony
held at London's Park Lane Hilton Hotel, hosted by ITN
political editor John Sergeant.
EDP editor Peter Franzen said he
was delighted with the national recognition of the website.
"Part of the success of EDP24 has
been in the innovative way in which we have approached
the site. We were the first regional newspaper to bring
a live 24 hour news service online. Our what's on coverage
is the best regional service available anywhere in the
UK, and our online business coverage is a real extension
of what we provide in print.
"The internet has taken a few knocks
in recent months but we have always believed that the
role of our website is to be firmly linked to the newspaper
yet not simply the newspaper online. The site is there
to add a different dimension to the printed product
and also appeal to a new audience throughout Norfolk
as well as to our existing readers.
"The award is a tribute not only
to the web team but to all the EDP staff who contribute
to the site.
"The judges said EDP24 has a real
soul - we always set out to make the site not only relevant
and useful but a real part of Norfolk life."
"Newspapers will be around for
a very long time, but it is important that we provide
advertisers and readers with the maximum opportunities
to deliver and receive information. EDP24 does just
that."
EDP24 has proved to be a success
with the site attracting more than 45,000 visitor sessions
a month and those visitors looking at an amazing 400,000
pages.
Special features of the site, which
has more than 11,000 individual pages, include
- news, sport and business updated
throughout the day and night;
- a searchable What's On section
with reviews and previews,
- favourite columns and features
from the paper,
- property, jobs and motors sections.
Email alerts bring the breaking
news stories to your desktop, and an active message
board gives you the chance to comment on it - and debate
the issues with other visitors.
The latest feature is Puppy Watch,
which features a webcam focussed on puppies rescued
by the International Canine Defence League at their
new centre at Snetterton, email advice on pet problems
from a local vet, and the chance to post a picture of
your pooch for the world to see.
EDP24, and its predecessor, Norfolk-now,
have been nominated for a series of awards in the last
two years. Its sister site for the Pink 'Un football
paper, www.pinkun.com,
won the Newspaper Society's New Media award for the
best niche website last year and was highly commended
this year.
In May this year the Evening News
launched its site, www.EveningNews24.co.uk.
Three EDP journalists also
gained national recognition in the UKPG awards. Deputy
editor James Ruddy, former reporter David Winning and
business writer Harry Day were all shortlisted in their
categories.
The EDP24 web team is Pat Prekopp and Celia Sutton,
web editors; Vince Yallop, What's On editor and designer;
Lee Scarfe, graphic designer; and Karen Rigden, web
assistant. Special thanks also to Paul Clarke, designer.
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