MALVERN Gazette reporter Tarik Al Rasheed was among the top trainee journalists in the country in this year's professional journalism examinations.

Tarik, 26, who joined the Malvern Gazette in September 2005, was one of five young journalists to be awarded a cash prize for his outstanding work.

Results in the Autumn 2007 National Certificate Examinations were some of the best in recent years and Tarik received the Newsquest award for the best log book. The log book is a specially-compiled collection of articles young reporters put together as evidence of the range of work they have done while working as trainee reporters.

The examiners said:"Tarik compliled a model logbook, faultlessly presented and containing excellent submissions for the key tasks which clearly demonstrated that he had received thorough training in all the required areas."

The Newsquest award for the best log book includes prize money of £250.

Tarik, who lives in Malvern, went to King's School in Worcester and studied English Literature at Warwick University. Having passed his NCE he is now a fully qualified senior reporter.

A total of 200 young journalists sat the examinations in September and 130 passed, the highest pass rate for several years.