The Croydon Guardian has been named best free weekly newspaper in London and the south of England.

Croydon Guardian beat other shortlisted newspapers, the Crawley News and Bexley Times, at the EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards on Monday.

Our sister website - yourlocalguardian.co.uk - won the best website category.

Representatives from more than 25 publications and broadcasters attended the awards ceremony, held at the Corn Exchange in Brighton.

The Croydon Guardian walked away with one of the top awards after judges decided the newspaper was head and shoulders above its rivals.

Editor Helen Barnes accepted the award from England cricketer James Kirtley. The ceremony co-compere and former BBC reporter, Karen Ainley, said: "The Croydon Guardian was selected by the judges for being different to what you would expect from a freebie.

"It had excellent stories and all three editions submitted had good hard news right the way through the book. Put simply, this paper was seen as having it all'."

Croydon Guardian assistant editor Danny Brierley said: "We knew we were in with a shout. Our newspaper is always packed full of great exclusives and essential local information, and it doesn't cost our readers a penny."

After winning the award for best website, Your Local Guardian's web editor Dan Menhinnitt said: "Although only launched in March Your Local Guardian has already proved it is the best for the latest and breaking news in your local area.

"I'm overjoyed the judging panel recognised the hard work and effort made by our team of reporters, sub-editors and editors, who work flat out to make Your Local Guardian the success it is."