YOUR County Gazette has been praised by two MPs in the House of Commons this week.

While we've been running our #TalkupTaunton campaign, the MPs have been talking up your favourite local newspaper.

It came during a Parliamentary discussion on the Cairncross Review, an independent report into the challenges facing high quality journalism in the UK that puts forward recommendations to help secure its future.

Rebecca Pow, who enjoyed a career in the media before being elected as Taunton Deane MP, stood up to say she appreciates the "importance of accuracy in reporting" and stating that she is a supporter of her local newspaper, which should be cornerstones of local democracy.

She added: "In that respect, I welcome the recommendations in the Cairncross review to set up the independent institute to promote local investigative journalism and the provision of public interest news."

Cue Taunton-born Jeremy Wright QC, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who told the House: "As my honourable friend knows, and as I have reported to the House, the Somerset County Gazette was the first newspaper I ever appeared in, so I have always had a soft spot for it.

"What she said is right; it is important that all media outlets take responsibility for checking what they put into their particular publications, whether they are online or not.

"She can expect that we will be taking up many of the themes that her select committee has so expertly covered in its inquiry."

One of the first jobs undertaken by former Taunton School student Mr Wright, 46, on his appointment to his current Government post was a visit last October to the town's Brewhouse Theatre, when he discussed plans for a multi-million pound expansion of the riverside venue.

Last week Defence Secretary, during a visit to Taunton, spoke highly of the Gazette's #TalkupTaunton campaign.