The cream of up-and-coming photography talent has been recognised in an annual award scheme by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

The Nottingham Evening Post’s Jemma Cox and Derby Telegraph’s Leah McLaren were picked out from all the candidates taking the National Certificate Examination for trainee photographers and photojournalists hoping to become ‘seniors’ during 2009.

Jemma won the South Wales Argus award for best advance project while Leah took home the Fuji award for best portfolio.

They were among six other trainees to pass the autumn NCE last month at Norton College, in Sheffield, where both girls also completed their studies on block release.

It caps off an impressive year for Leah who was crowned daily/Sunday sports photographer of the year at the Regional Press Awards, in May, and last month won the images category in the NCTJ’s Excellent in Journalism Awards.

NCTJ photography chief examiner Steve Phillips said: “The two prize winners produced very high quality work.

“Jemma’s advance project about museums was very well put together and had impact and creativity.

“Leah McLaren’s portfolio was one of four in contention which were of very high quality for photographers at this stage in their careers.

“However, the overall quality of Leah’s set of ten just edged it for her.”

Jemma’s doll museum photo as it appeared in Nottingham Evening Post spread

Leah’s shot of Scott Haywood (right) and Dean Harrison in European Championship Boxing in Nottingham from her award-winning portfolio