Worcester News crowned region’s top newspaper

THE Worcester News beat competition from across the West and East Midlands to be crowned the region’s top newspaper.

The daily title was among the winners across 20 categories at the ninth annual Midlands Media Awards, held at Birmingham’s ICC and organised by the Birmingham Press Club.

Editor Kevin Ward said the prize was testimony to the dedication of his staff after it was chosen ahead of the daily Nottingham Post and weeklies the Sunday Mercury, Birmingham Post and Hinckley Times.

He said: “I may have had the honour of going on to stage to receive the award but it belongs to my staff.

“Our news, sports and photographic teams produce fantastic newspapers day in day out and this award is just recognition of their hard work.

“To beat newspapers from much bigger cities across the Midlands like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester and Nottingham is a huge achievement for us.”

Other winners from the West Midlands included BPM Media’s Jason Skarratt, crowned regional photographer of the year, the Coventry Telegraph’s Rob Madill, who won best headline, and Birmingham City Council for its website www.birminghamnewsroom.com, named top digital innovation.

The full list of winners can be seen below:

Newspaper of the Year
Worcester News

Daily News Reporter of the Year
Charles Walker, Nottingham Post

Weekly News Reporter of the Year
Sam Dimmer, Hinckley Times

Regional Photographer of the Year
Jason Skarratt, BPM Media

Sports Photographer of the Year
Mike Sewell, Leicester Mercury

Weekly Photographer of the Year
Angela Ward, Mansfield Chad

The Trevor Roberts Award
Given in memory of the ex-Birmingham Post and Mail photo editor who mentored many rookie photographers
Laura Page, Derby Telegraph

Scoop of the Year
Jeanette Oldham, Sunday Mercury

Sports Journalist of the Year
Steve Nicholson, Derby Telegraph

Headline of the Year
Rob Madill, Coventry Telegraph

Online Journalist of the Year
Jonny Greatrex, Sunday Mercury

Digital Innovation Award
Birmingham City Council for www.birminghamnewsroom.com

Feature Writer of the Year
Erik Petersen, Nottingham Post

Newcomer of the Year
Delia Monk, Nottingham Post

Business Journalist of the Year
Robin Johnson, Derby Telegraph

Magazine of the Year
The Derbyshire

TV/Radio Journalist of the Year
Jonathan Gibson, ITV

Columnist of the Year
Adam Wakelin, Leicester Mercury

Student Journalist of the Year
Rebecca Johnson, Nottingham Trent University

Community Campaign of the Year
Gemma Peplow, Leicester Mercury