HOME Secretary Jack Straw told the House of Commons the Lancashire Evening Telegraph was "the world's finest newspaper".

The Blackburn MP praised the paper during a Commons debate on the Human Rights Bill.

As MPs - who have heard Mr Straw pay the compliment before - laughed gently, he added: "I mean that. I have often said so on the record."

Mr Straw told us today: "It was said in good humour but it contains an essential truth about regional and local newspapers, which are rooted in their communities. They deliver local and national news to those communities - in the Evening Telegraph's case the people of Blackburn and East Lancashire.

"It is a source of vital information to me on what is going in the area and helps keep my feet on the ground.

"This is even more important now I am in government.

"Regional newspapers are very important. The reason why I think the Lancashire Evening Telegraph is the best newspaper in the world is because it circulates in my constituency. I'm sure other MPs and ministers would pick different local newspapers for the title."

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