A weekly newspaper deputy editor has won an award at the ‘outdoor oscars’ after writing a guide to sleeping outdoors.

Stephen Neale, of the East London-based Yellow Advertiser, has been honoured by the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild (OWPG) for his book Wild Camping, which won the Highly Commended Award in the Best Outdoor Book category.

The book is a guide to sleeping out in UK and Ireland, exposing legal loopholes and rights of access which allow campers to pitch up without permission.

It also suggests possible locations to visit, investigates forest law and reveals the impact of land enclosure in the UK.

Stephen Neale, right, collects his book award from David Hall, chairman of Northumberland Tourism

The awards judges said: “The author is a lifelong advocate of wild camping, is passionate about his subject without being too polemical or ‘preachy’.

“He wants to convert people to the joys of wild camping — and succeeds.”

OWPG’s ceremony was held at Kielder Forest, Northumberland, and was attended by a selection of Britain’s top outdoor writers and photographers.

The not-for-profit organisation comprises writers, journalists, photographers, illustrators, broadcasters, film-makers, artists, web designers, publishers and editors, who share an interest in the outdoors.

Stephen said: “The OWPG awards are the outdoor oscars. I’m very, very happy.”