A local television station has been recognised for the “outstanding contribution” it has made to regional broadcasting.

The Royal Television Society’s North East and Borders centre honoured Made in Tyne and Wear at its annual awards.

The channel received the Centre award, which is given to the person, team or organisation whose work has made an outstanding contribution over the last 12 months to any aspect of the industry.

The channel was commended for its role as a “nursery slope” for new talent in the region and for its innovation in programming and scheduling.

The Made in Tyne and Wear team with the award

Theresa Wise, chief executive of the Royal Television Society, said at the awards: “Made in Tyne & Wear has shown a real passion for this region and has been a tremendous supporter of new talent.

“At a time when many channels are going global, this is one that is unashamedly local. In the relatively short time it has been broadcasting, it has established itself as a distinctive voice across Tyne & Wear.”

The judges made a special mention of the channel’s weekly Made With Pride programme, which has been created for the LGBT community and which is transmitted from the North-East of England across Made Television’s other city channels in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Liverpool.

Jamie Conway, CEO of Made Television, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the RTS Centre Awards, particularly among such a formidable gathering of broadcast and media professionals.

“Creating regionally relevant programming is the lifeblood of Made Television and we are thrilled to be recognised for this.

“We are also thrilled to be acknowledged for our contribution toward growing new talent; this is a core objective as a regional broadcaster and an area we are committed to developing still further in the future.”