Northern Echo columnist Mike Amos was described as “a genius” as he was named North East Journalist of the Year for the fifth time in 15 years.

He secured the title under its new sponsorship by the University of Sunderland and was presented with the Vaux Salver by guest speaker Jeremy Vine, of BBC’s Newsnight.

The salver had to be retired because of the closure of Vaux Brewery in Sunderland last summer. Mr Amos was brought to the stage as the only journalist to have won the salver more than once. A few minutes later, he returned to collect the new engraved glass trophy.

Judges at yesterday’s Transco Tom Cordner North East Press Awards described him as “a genius” for his writing style in his five columns and the description was endorsed by his editor, Peter Barron, when he accepted the Newspaper of the Year trophy.

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