The cream of local journalism in London and the South gathered at Lingfield Park racecourse in Surrey yesterday as the 2010 EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards were handed out.

Each of the prizewinners received a commemorative trophy together while winners in the individual categories also received a cheque for £100 from EDF Energy.

Here you can see the winners receiving their prizes from EDF’s safety and sustainability director Tim Boylin and the special sporting guest, Great Britain Olympic hockey captain Ben Hawes.

All pictures are by Nigel Bowles, of John Connnor Associates.

Newcomer of the Year: Tara Russell, Southern Daily Echo

What the judges said: “Tara secured her job at the Southern Daily Echo after a work experience stint there – and she has clearly settled in well. ‘Her notice board spotting is cracking!’ said one judge commenting on Tara’s work – which was described as good, hard news.”

Environmental Journalist of the Year: Yvette Austin, BBC South East

What the judges said: “Starting her career in local radio, Yvette Austin has moved around regions, the news channel and World Service, but says her current post as environmental correspondent for BBC South East is her favourite. Her submitted work for BBC South East were all off-diary pieces and created off her own bat.”

Business Journalist of the Year: Simon Carr, Southern Daily Echo

What the judges said: “Business stories can mean hard news and splashes – and the judges felt that this was certainly the case with Simon’s work. Great contacts, obtaining leaked council documents, and securing swift reaction from workers faced with losing their jobs at Ford and Red Funnel, all impressed.”

News Photographer of the Year: Simon Dack, The Argus

What the judges said: “A strong portfolio with a variety of subject matter, including a stunning shot of a swimmer, complete with flippers, head gear and crutch, making his way to the sea through the snow, an anti-fascist rally and a feisty squirrel taking on a pigeon – a real in-the-moment shot.”

Sports Journalist of the Year: Neil Allen, The News, Portsmouth

What the judges said: “A good entry focusing on one sport – football. One critical match report prompted then-manager Paul Hart to ban him! He didn’t like the slating of the team performance or the mention of Avram Grant waiting in the wings to replace him. Guess what – it was true!”

Feature Writer of the Year: Ian Ray, The Argus

What the judges said: “A great breadth of writing, in both subject matter and styles. A full-on news feature on suicide rates, a hard-hitting interview with Chris Eubank and a lighter piece – an interview with children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson, made up his well put-together entry – all great reads.”

Columnist of the Year: Faith Eckersall, Daily Echo, Bournemouth

What the judges said: “The judges found themselves either strongly agreeing or disagreeing with her views – clearly a good thing – be it having a go at a footballer’s return to the limelight after serving time in prison, or attacking rubbish parents.”

Designer of the Year: Pete Gavan, The News, Portsmouth Award collected by Lucy Varney

What the judges said: “Pete knows how to use photos really well. His work demonstrates a good use of a feature’s key image, with the copy fitting neatly around the pictures. His is a classic style, well-crafted, easy to read and, as is often the case, all pulled together in a short time frame.”

Radio Journalist of the Year: Charlie O’Brien, Heart

What the judges said: “Charlie displayed a wide range of good journalism skills. She is an engaging and authoritative news reader. She showed excellent reporting skills on the volcanic ash cloud story and her interview with Ant and Dec showed that she’s confident and entertaining when broadcasting without a script.”

Television Journalist of the Year: Reshma Rumsey, ITV Meridian Award collected by news editor Adam Clark

What the judges said: “Reshma Rumsey carried out an ambitious and innovative year-long strand, focusing on an entire street during the economic downturn. Survival Street followed the fortunes and relationships of those living on the street, and she even included them in election coverage.”

Weekly Print Journalist of the Year: Simon Tulett, Gravesend & Dartford Messenger Series

What the judges said: “Simon has a strong investigate approach to his work. The judges described his writing as ‘very skilful’ and he clearly digs around to find stories. He saw through an NHS press release to uncover how heart attack patients were being driven 40 miles further than their local A&E. The story went national and led to compensation payouts.”

Daily Print Journalist of the Year: Tara Russell, Southern Daily Echo

What the judges said: “As we’ve already heard, her work really impressed the judges – getting out and about, talking to people, plus using social media to source her stories – and she has a great writing style.”

Website of the Year: Bournemouthecho.co.uk Award collected by Nick Rowe and Sarah Cartlidge

What the judges said: “Another website that builds on the core newspaper content. Good use is made of Google maps to illustrate stories plus there is a steady stream of Tweets, to provide speedy updates on everything from politics to the weather.”

Community Campaign of the Year: Camden New Journal – Save the Whittington Award collected by deputy editor Richard Osley and reporter Tom Foot

What the judges said: “When plans emerged to close the A&E department at a local hospital, the New Journal moved quickly to start its campaign. Not content with just reporting, the paper took a leading role in mobilising protests, including a double-decker bus-led street march.”

Front Page of the Year: Daily Echo, Bournemouth – ‘I’m going to miss you so much’. Award collected by editor Neal Butterworth

What the judges said: “The Bournemouth Daily Echo used this emotional picture, and the quote from a best friend, to illustrate the funeral of a rifleman killed by an explosion in Afghanistan. The usual advert and promo panel were dropped in deference to the sombre occasion. Extremely effective, said the judges.”

Radio news or current affairs programme of the year: Mark Carter, BBC Surrey

What the judges said: “The judges were impressed by the quality of the journalism within Mark Carter’s drive-time show and the priority given to original, local stories.”

Television news or current affairs programme of the year: ITV Meridian Tonight. Award collected by news editor Adam Clark.

What the judges said: “ITV Meridian Tonight submitted a number of programmes, but it was a special report into the deaths of two firefighters at a tower block in Hampshire which made the shortlist.”

Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year: Camden New Journal Award collected by deputy editor Richard Osley and reporter Tom Foot

What the judges said: “A paper jam-packed with news, and a story-count better than some paid-for papers. Sports coverage, arts and reviews and overseas coverage from a reporter in Somalia were complemented by one-off supplements like its Remembrance Day special.”

Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year: Kentish Gazette Award collected by editor Leo Whitlock

What the judges said: “The Kentish Gazette grabbed the judges instantly – with front pages that draw the reader in and exclusives that make you want to read on. Good headlines too – ‘They just open their trousers and stand there’ is not a headline I’ve come across before!”

Daily Newspaper of the Year:Daily Echo, Bournemouth Award collected by editor Neal Butterworth.

What the judges said: “Attention-grabbing splashes relevant to the most number of readers – that’s the philosophy of editor Neal Butterworth. And the Daily Echo has gone for that big time in the last year.”