Journalists from the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo walked away laden with accolades from last night’s O2 Media Awards for Cheshire and Merseyside.

But the Trinity Mirror dailies missed out on the top prize of newspaper of the year which went to the weekly Warrington Guardian for the second year running.

The judging panel said the Warrington Guardian delivered news and sport stories that consistently set the agenda for national print and broadcast media, with a team unafraid to “stick their noses in where it hurts”.

The awards ceremony crowned a busy week for the Echo after Trinity Mirror confirmed it would now print an edition overnight – a change made by many regional evenings recently – but would still retain a same-day edition.

Among the Daily Post and Echo winners were Luke Traynor, crowned reporter of the year, Paddy Shennan was named feature writer for the second year running and Laura Davis won digital journalist of the year and shared best entertainment writer with the Echo’s Jade Wright.

Scoop of the year went to the Southport Visiter for its unusual tale of an 18-year-old man who was arrested on the little known charge of stealing by finding, after he found a mobile on the street and handed it to police.

The O2 regional awards, now in the second year, celebrate the achievements of print, online and broadcast journalists across 14 different categories.

This year judges gave a special achievement award to Caroline Hacking, from Granada Reports. After being so impressed by her submissions on judging day, they created an extra prize just for her.

The event was held last night at sponsor O2’s customer service centre, in Cheshire, and was attended by more than 100 journalists.

The judging panel included Media City director of communications Paul Newman, Paul Byrne of the Daily Mirror, Yorkshire Post editor Peter Charlton and Newsquest regional MD Jan Lever.

Glenn Manoff, O2’s director of communications and reputation, said: “The quality of entries from the region’s press was outstanding.

“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate the huge service local and regional journalists provide in our towns and cities.”

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The winners and runners-up were:

Newspaper of the Year

Winner: Warrington Guardian
Runners-up: Southport Visiter; Liverpool Echo; Wirral Globe; Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Reporter of the Year

Winner: Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
Runners-up: Jennifer Williams, Stockport Express; Gemma Jaleel, Trinity Mirror Mediamix (Merseyside weeklies)

Daily Young Journalist of the year

Winner: Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post
Runners-up: Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post; Samantha Ann Parker, Liverpool Daily Post and Echo

Weekly Young Journalist of the Year

Winner: Miranda Newey, Warrington Guardian
Runners-up: John Siddle, Southport Visiter; Matthew Davis, Stockport Express

Scoop of the Year

Winner: Southport Visiter – Teenager arrested for “stealing by finding”
Runners-up: Steve Hothersall, Radio City and City Talk; Liverpool Echo

Sports Journalist of the year

Winner: Granada Reports Sports Team
Runners-up: David Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News; Chris Hall, Granada Reports

Feature Writer of the Year

Winner: Paddy Shennan, Liverpool Echo
Runners-up: Justin Dunn, Wirral Globe; Nicola Davies, Warrington Guardian; Emma Pinch, Liverpool Daily Post

Business Reporter of the Year

Winner: David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post
Runners-up: Alistair Houghton and Alex Turner, both Liverpool Daily Post

Photographer of the Year

Winner: Gareth Jones, Liverpool Daily Post and Echo
Runners-up: Jason Roberts, Liverpool Daily Post and Echo; Mike Boden, Warrington Guardian

Entertainment Writer of the Year

Joint winners: Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post; Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo
Runner-up: Peter Grant, Liverpool Echo

Editorial Team of the Year

Winner: Granada Reports
Runners-up: BBC North West Tonight; BBC Radio Merseyside; Mid Cheshire Guardian Series

TV Broadcast Journalist of the Year

Winner: Jayne Barrett, BBC North West Tonight
Runner-up: Andy Bonner, Granada Reports

Radio Broadcaster of the Year

Winner: BBC Radio Merseyside – News Team
Runners-up: Laura Harmes, Radio City and City Talk; Michelle Ponting, Key 103

Digital Journalist of the Year

Winner: Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post
Runners-up: Richard Down and David Bartlett, both Liverpool Daily Post

Special Achievement Award

Caroline Hacking, Granada Reports

Award created especially for her by judges in recognition of her all-round ability. One judge said: “She is ready and waiting for the next available seat on GMTV.”

The winner’s from the O2 Media Awards for Cheshire and Merseyside

Comments

Angela Birchall (03/07/2009 12:47:37)
Well done to Luke, Gemma and Laura D – your training obviously paid off!
Angela