With nearly 300 entries to sift through, the panel of  judges for this year’s EDF Energy South West Media Awards faced a tough task in choosing a winner for each of the 20 categories.

Here’s our round-up of what the judges said about the victorious entrants together with the pictures of them receiving their awards.

The awards were presented by Steve Hayfield, EDF Energy’s customer service director, and Exeter Chiefs rugby players Jack Yeandle, who presented the first ten awards, and Carl Rimmer, who presented the other ten.

All pictures are by Theo Moyes.

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Newcomer of the Year – Rebecca Ricks, The Herald

“One of the youngest journalists to report from Afghanistan, she filed content from Helmand, and spent a week on a nuclear submarine for a series of great articles – all with a clear local flavour.  Her approach was both mature and engaging.”

Digital Journalist of the Year – Sam Morshead, Swindon Advertiser

“Sam has helped to promote live blogging across Newsquest titles. A football transfer window ‘Deadline Day’ live blog got over 80,000 web hits – making it the most viewed online story anywhere on the Newsquest network for January.”

Specialist Journalist of the Year – Philip Bowern, Western Morning News

“The paper has stepped up its coverage of country sports and related rural issues and Philip’s entry reflects that, with fascinating articles on pigeon shooting, urban and rural foxes and the state of commercial shoots in the region.  All are superbly written.”

News Photographer of the Year – John Allen, The Herald

“Seagulls fighting in a car park, an exasperated mother who can’t make her 12 year old son go to school and the moment a Plymouth Albion rugby is knocked unconscious, all feature in an entry of great variety.  Five all round quality shots.”

Sports Journalist of the Year – Mark Jenkin, North Devon Journal

“North Devon has no professional clubs but there’s grassroots sport aplenty. Mark delved into the archives for a fascinating story on the last time Barnstaple Town won the Western League in 1980. It was never reported at the time, because of a printers’ strike.”

Feature Writer of the Year – David Clensy, The Post

“Tracking down squatters led to an insightful and colourful feature on the implications of changes in the law which would make their lives tougher. And going behind the scenes at a Masonic Lodge produced another fine piece of work.”

Columnist of the Year – Becky Sheaves, Western Morning News

“Shortlisted again for her restaurant review columns. Her work is funny, teaches the reader a thing or two about food, and always honestly discerning. She’s done so well that the paper has finally moved her from food to all manner of subjects in her new weekly column.”

Designer of the Year – David Hancock, ITV News West Country and David Lewins, The Post

“One judge said they ‘would kill’ to have the level of quality design demonstrated by David Hancock at their disposal. David Lewins includes three standout examples of his work – a new glossy leisure magazine for the weekend edition of the Post.  Two very different but brilliant entries that deserved this award.”

Radio Journalist of the Year – Denis Nightingale, BBC Radio Cornwall

“Denis has a brilliant old fashioned approach to journalism, said one judge – and in a very good way. The BBC Radio Cornwall reporter and presenter goes to great lengths to uncover great stories and calmly puts questions on air that lead to some magic radio moments.”

Television Journalist of the Year – Matthew Hill, BBC West

“All health-related but there’s still plenty of variety in Matthew Hill’s entry.Painstaking journalism went into the piece on the competence of the surgeon who delivered a baby who suffered brain damage. There’s an exclusive on concerns with a care home, with a forensic level of detail in the reporting.”

Weekly Print Journalist of the Year – Robert Golledge, Western Gazette

“Robert’s final entry revealed a row between performers and management of an amateur production of South Pacific. Four actors were kicked off the production for refusing to ‘black up’. The story led to an investigation by the Racial Equality Council.”

Daily Print Journalist of the Year – Tom Morris, The Post

“Tom offers up a great story about the boy who ran up a huge i-tunes bill, speaking to the parents on what is a great contemporary talking point.  The judges also loved ‘Invasion of the Giant Mutant Rats’ which generated great reader response.”

Website of the Year – Bristolpost.co.uk. 

“Bristolpost.co.uk is to be applauded for its move to a newspaper-branded site which has seen unique users rise by 24pc a year and digital revenues by 6pc.   Great engagement with its audience, depth of value added content and up to the minute news and sport.”

Community Campaign of the Year – LoveLIFE, The Herald

“A major campaign linked to London 2012, to tackle health inequalities and obesity in adults and children in Plymouth. Some 530 people and organisations signed up and got involved, the Herald ran 320 stories, and published four supplements through the year. All targets were achieved.”

Front Page of the Year – Street rocked by blast, Gloucestershire Echo

“Street rocked by blast”, gave readers of the Gloucestershire Echo exactly what they’d want to see for this type of event.  But they still needed a stand out front page image – so took to the skies to capture the scene. Sales for the edition were up nearly 20 per cent on the previous week.”

Radio news or current affairs programme of the Year – Laurence Reed at lunchtime, BBC Radio Cornwall

“Sparring interviews with authority figures, a no-nonsense approach to consumer problems and the light and shade of a show which can change gear from combative to sensitive when the subject demands it, ensure it remains Britain’s most listened-to local lunchtime programme.”

Television News and Current Affairs Programme of the Year – The Olympic Games’, ITV News West

“ITV News West was going out on air just one hour before the most anticipated moment of 2012 – the Olympic Opening Ceremony.  Broadcast from the sailing venue at Weymouth, it captures the expectant mood of the region on a beautiful evening across the South West brilliantly.”

Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year – Midweek Herald

“A great weekly, with good hard news and a consistently high story count.  It doesn’t try to cram too much on the front, with confidence in the strength of its splashes. Inside it’s busier, with lots of news, photos, court reporting, opinion and features.”

Paid For Weekly Newspaper of the Year – The West Briton

“Another in-depth title with a high story count and plenty of evidence of original journalism. The content is very well balanced, with just the right mix of light and dark.  In-depth backgrounders and regular campaigning supports a strong news offering. “

Daily Newspaper of the Year – The Herald

“News, news and more news. The Herald delivers in spades for its readers. The coverage of Olympic diver Tom Daley was both comprehensive and insightful, with bags of colour and comment. This is an extremely reader-focused newspaper which gels very well indeed.”