Medway Messenger reporter Dan Bloom has been named Shepherd Neame Kent Journalist of the Year as the Kent Media Awards marked their 25th anniversary.

Dan, who also won the Newspaper Journalist of the Year category, was described by the judges as “a journalist whose breadth of work, determination, ability and dedication has produced some tremendous stories”.

Other winners at Friday’s event held at Shepherd Neame’s Faversham brewery included Kent Online which was named News Service of the Year.

The judges said: “It presents a wonderful mix of written copy, imagery, great interaction with users via social media, all the result of talented journalists working well as a team.”

The Kent & Sussex Courier won the Canterbury Jack Campaign of the Year Award for its successful campaign to secure government funding for improvements to the A21, while Chris Britcher of Kent on Sunday was named Spitfire Kent Sports Journalist of the Year.

The WF Deedes Kent Young Journalist of the Year prizee went to Jess Banham of the KM Group.