READERS can now vote for the Westmorland Gazette in an online poll highlighting the positive power of the local media.

The Gazette's Driving Hospice Care campaign smashed its £36,800 target within six weeks after receiving backing from MPs, councillors and health specialists.

The cash paid for two 4x4 vehicles for St John's Hospice nurses - who make around 5,000 home visits each year but had been struggling to reach patients because of their existing cars' unreliability.

The campaign is one of 30 which have made a difference to the communities they serve and have been included in the Newspaper Society’s Making A Difference showcase as part of Local Newspaper Week. 

Voting closes at midnight tonight (Wednesday) and the winner will be announced at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards on Friday.

Vote at http://www.localnewspaperweek.co.uk/voting