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Echo heads shortlist for North West awards

The Liverpool Echo heads the shortlist for the O2 North West Media Awards with nine nominations.

The regional daily has journalists in five individual categories as well as two team awards, including the Daily Newspaper of the Year category, where it will compete against The Bolton News and the North Wales Daily Post.

Other regional newspapers with a number of shortlist nominations include the Manchester Evening News and the Blackpool Gazette.

Winners of the awards will be announced at a presentation evening on 6 November at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.

The Echo’s sister title The Liverpool Post is shortlisted for the Weekly Newspaper of the Year title and will compete against the Westmorland Gazette and the Cumberland News.

This year’s awards attracted more than 300 entries from journalists on regional newspapers, online publications, radio and television stations.

Judges were so impressed by the quality of some of the entries they introduced two new categories, one which specifically recognises journalists from weekly newspapers and a special journalism award that will be revealed on the night.

Nicola Green, head of communications and reputation at O2, said: “The sheer volume of award entries meant that judging sessions took place over a number of days. The panels had the impossible task of selecting a handful of nominees from a huge range of portfolios.

“This year’s standard was exceptional both in quality and diversity. Every journalist who entered deserves huge credit for making the O2 awards so competitive. Those nominated this year really should feel truly proud of making such a phenomenal shortlist.”

The full shortlist is:

New Media Journalist of the Year
Andy Downton, Heart FM
Mark Thomas, The Post, Liverpool
John Scheerhout, Manchester Evening News

Young Journalist of the Year
Richard Wheatstone, Manchester Evening News
Adam McClean, ITV Granada
Joe Thomas, Liverpool Echo
Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle
Dan Hewitt, ITV Granada

Feature Writer of the Year
Vickie Scullard, Bolton News
Roger Lytollis, News & Star/ Cumberland News
Steve Canavan, The Gazette, Blackpool

News Reporter of the Year
Aasma Day, Lancashire Evening Post
Sarah Collins, 2BR/The Bee
Jennifer Williams, Manchester Evening News
John Siddle, Liverpool Echo

Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Free)
Saddleworth Independent
Wirral Globe
Leigh Journal
Champion Newspapers

Weekly Journalist of the Year
Carmella De Lucia, Chester Chronicle
Ellis Butcher, Westmorland Gazette
Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle
Ellie Cullen, Crewe Chronicle
Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Photographer of the Year
Robert Binder, Lancashire Telegraph
Darren Robinson, Oldham Evening Chronicle
Jason Roberts, Liverpool Echo & Post
Gareth Jones, Liverpool Echo & Post
Phil Rigby, CN Magazines

Emerging Talent Award
Anthony Sabanskis, University of Bolton
Ian O’Brien, Blackburn University College
Joshua Worrall, Cronton Sixth Form College
Emily Burgin, University of Salford

Radio Journalist of the Year
Mair Thomas, Heart North West
Mick Coyle, City Talk 105.9
Steve Becker, BBC Radio Lancashire

Scoop of the Year
Rachel Townsend, Granada Reports (George Osborne ‘Ticketgate’)
Radio City & City Talk, (Don’t Bet On It)
Jennifer Williams, Manchester Evening News (The Cavemen of 2013)

Specialist Publication of the Year
Lancashire Life
All Together Now
Business Insider
Warrington Guardian Weekend Magazine

Specialist Writer of the Year
Jayne McCubbin, BBC North West Tonight
Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Post & Echo
Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo

Sports Journalist of the Year
William Watt, The Gazette, Blackpool
Suzanne Geldard, Lancashire Telegraph
Greg O’Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
David Chisnall, ITV Granada

Editorial Team of the Year
Lancashire Evening Post (Preston Guild)
Liverpool Echo (Hillsborough)
The Farm (BBC Sport)

TV Broadcast Journalist of the Year
Sarah Rogers, ITV Granada
Dan Hewitt, ITV Granada
Dave Guest, BBC North West
Adam McClean, ITV Granada

Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Paid For)
The Post, Liverpool
Westmorland Gazette
Cumberland News

Daily Newspaper of the Year
Daily Post Wales
Bolton News
Liverpool Echo