A journalist who trained on her hometown newspaper is among those to have won awards for top performance in their senior exams.

Geraldine Scott, left, of the Eastern Daily Press, was one of four to scoop prizes after sitting the March 2017 National Qualification in Journalism.

Geraldine, who completed the fast-track diploma at the Press Association Newcastle last year, triumphed in the Esso-sponsored award for the best submission in news report.

The other winners were Rosaleen Fenton for media law and practice performance, Robert Langley for news interview and Kieran Murray for e-logbook – with all four receiving £250 each for their success.

The senior examiner said Geraldine had produced a “confidently written” news report” which was delivered in a “crisp, easy to read style with logical progression”, adding her paper was a “pleasure” to mark.

Said Geraldine: “I’m thrilled to win the award, and really it’s a testament to those who have supported and trained me. I’ve got to say a massive thank you to Anne Edwards, who took me under her wing at the Great Yarmouth Mercury, my hometown paper, when I knew nothing at all.

“She taught me proper, old-school journalism techniques which even in today’s digital world are still what all good reporters need to have a grounding in and consistently fall back on.

“Then Al McGregor, Ian Clarke and of course Archant Norfolk editor David Powles for encouraging me and pushing me to improve. Plus the brilliant Newcastle PA Training course for a gruelling four months of diploma stress.”

The senior examiner praised Rosaleen, left, who works at the Ilford Recorder and completed her fast-track Diploma at News Associates Manchester in 2015, for an “excellent, all round paper with no weaknesses” which saw her scoop the award for the best submission in media law and practice.

She said: “I am over the moon to have passed my seniors! I was even more delighted when I found out I had won an award for my media law paper. Working on a news patch as busy as Ilford, my media law skills have been kept sharp. I’d like to thank my colleagues for all their support”

Robert, left, who works at the Retford Times and graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2015, won the Society of Editors’ award for the best news interview.

Examiners were impressed by his “strong intro covering all the main points of the story that immediately gripped the reader”.

Said Robert: “I’d like to thank my colleagues, past and present, at the Retford Times and Lincolnshire Echo for their help, support and guidance over the last 18 months and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Kieran, who works at the Bridlington Free Press and graduated from the University of Sunderland in 2014, was praised for the “real maturity” shown in a submission which earned him the Newsquest award for best e-logbook.

Kieran, pictured left, said: “To find out I have won the award is just amazing. It is great to see that all my hard work has paid off. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way.”