A news editor who launched an anti-knife campaign in the capital has been recognised by his newspaper’s publisher.

Dominic Wiggan, of the Ilford Recorder, was crowned Archant London’s editorial person of the year at its annual awards ceremony.

Judges described Dominic as “a determined and professional journalist who revels in scooping the opposition and breaking news”.

In addition to single-handedly running the paper’s website, Dominic launched the ‘Respect Life’ campaign last July which Archant says has been a highly successful and well respected anti-knife crime initiative.

Ilford North MP Lee Scott said: “Dominic Wiggan has followed a long tradition at the Recorder of first class journalists. His dedication and fantastic reporting are a credit to both him and the paper.”

Redbridge Council leader Coun Keith Prince added: “In my 32 years as a local politician he has the best understanding of what a local journalist should be.

“He has belief and accountability which I consider the essentials of a good journalist.”

Awards were handed out at a ceremony in Docklands by Archant London MD Enzo Testa. All divisional editorial and commercial prize winners will go forward to the company-wide ceremony on 22 January.

Dominic (left) receives his award from Enzo Testa

Other editorial winners from the Archant London Awards are:

Team of the Year – Ilford editorial subbing team

Group editor (Essex) Mark Sweetingham said: “Bringing together the editorial teams of the Romford Recorder, Newham Recorder, Ilford Recorder, Dagenham Post and their various editions at Ilford was a major upheaval for all concerned.

“The move for the sub-editors was most stressful. As well as a new environment they were asked to drastically change the way they work.

“They all acted with extreme professionalism at all times ensuring excellent newspapers were produced.

“They understood the need for change with the introduction of a four-day week and put 100pc into ensuring it was a success.”

Innovation or New Launch of the Year – Woodford Recorder

The Woodford Recorder was launched in June to expand the footprint of the Recorder Series and attract more revenue from north of the borough of Redbridge which the company says it has achieved.

It added: “The launch was an innovative way to solve the problem of the perception that the Ilford Recorder was not the paper for people in that area.

“By changing the masthead and six news pages, the news diet was instantly made more palatable for readers in the area.

“It was a bold move to make at the height of the recession but it reaped rewards immediately.”

Product or Service of the Year – Second Ham & High Readers’ Edition

The second Hampstead and Highgate Express Readers Edition was published in May to mark Local Newspaper Week.

First done two years ago, it won the Ham&High a string of awards, with articles and photos submitted by readers, making up 28 pages of editorial

Editor Geoff Martin has since been invited to three industry conferences to talk about user-generated content.