An action shot of an Aussie cricketer being clean-bowled and a photo of a mayor losing his balance were among the winners at the annual National Association of Press Agencies awards.
Prizes were handed out across seven different categories for work from regional agencies in the UK and British-owned agencies based abroad.
This year also included a special award in memory of Rupert Hamer, the Sunday Mirror defence reporter killed in Afghanistan in January.
Guest speaker for the evening was journalist and broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson who spoke about young people entering the industry today, saying he felt sorry there were not the same opportunities as when he first started out. He added that it seemed young journalists these days were interested in chasing celebrity and getting into TV.
Napa president Denis Cassidy said: “It was a superb evening and I was delighted that we finally got Michael as guest speaker.
“He and I have been pals since we were young reporters together in Doncaster and I have been trying to get him to come along since the awards started five years ago – unfortunately it has usually clashed with his annual visit to Australia.
“But I and everyone who attended agreed he was well worth waiting for.”
NAPA award winners were:
Exclusive News/Sports Story
Nick Constable, West Coast News
Royal Marines Could Have Rescued Pirate Hostages, Mail on Sunday
Speculative News Story/Sport Story of the Year
Andrew Whelan, Ferrari Press Agency
Fergie terror as killer aide goes on run, Daily Mirror; Royal aide goes on run from prison, Daily Telegraph; Killer who was Fergie’s dresser goes on run, Daily Mail
Feature Story of the Year
Rachel Dale, Cavendish Press
Husband poisoned my tea to win back my love, Real People and Best magazines
The Rupert Hamer Award for Best Young Talent
Simon Boyle, Mercury Press Agency
Christian hoteliers on trial for offending Muslim guest, Daily Mail
Sport Picture of the Year
Andrew Boyers, Action Images
Picture of the Year (Rest of the world)
David Schultz, Solent News
Picture of the Year
Jonathan Short, London Features International
Andrew Boyers, Action Images
David Schultz, Solent News
Jonathan Short, London Features International
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