TWO youngsters are today delivering newspapers in Ipswich on brand new bikes after winning a competition.

TWO youngsters are today delivering newspapers in Ipswich on brand new bikes after winning a competition.

Charlette Horne and Stephen Smith came top of the pile in a search to find the best news delivery people in the town.

Charlette's employer at Cockrams newsagent in Heath Road nominated the 15-year-old because she is “always reliable, never late and also does errands for older customers on her round”.

The manager at Martins in Meredith Road felt Stephen, also 15, deserved the award because he had his bike stolen and works hard.

The teenagers chose their new bikes, paid for by The Evening Star and the East Anglian Daily Times, at Elmy Cycles in St Helen's Street.

The competition was run last year in conjunction with The Star, EADT, and Menzies and Claydens Wholesalers.

The winners were judged by committee members of Old Ben, an organisation which provides support to people in the news trade.

Lynn Turner, a committee member of Old Ben, said: “We chose them because they were going that extra mile to deliver the local paper. They also help other people and have a good work ethic.”