Twelve other awards were made to the cream of the West Country's regional media industry, with newspapers and broadcasters all being named regional winners.

The Bristol Evening Post, Exeter Express & Echo and Western Daily Press each scooped two awards.

Click here for a full list of winners and judges' comments.

Around 200 guests enjoyed lunch at Bristol's British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, courtesy of leading energy company EDF Energy – better known in the South West as its regional brand SWEB Energy.

Olympic sprint gold medallist Jason Gardener and Energy chief operating officer Derek Lickorish presented the prizes.

Many guests showed their backing for the bid to bring the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to the UK in 2012 by passing through the EDF Energy Leap Counter to register their support.

A Premier Partner of the London 2012 bid, EDF Energy has now clocked up the support of over 1.4 million people across the country with its Leap Counter.

The EDF Energy South West Media Awards, held in association with HoldtheFrontPage, also raised cash for NPF The Journalists' Charity, which benefits journalists and their dependents in times of personal difficulty, with £500 from the sponsors and a table collection from journalists.

Derek said: "Congratulations to all the winning and shortlisted candidates.

"The high quality of the entries demonstrates the range and depth of media talent in the region and the real dedication and commitment of journalists and media professionals across the South West."

"With over 200 entries in its inaugural year, the EDF Energy South West Media Awards have clearly provided an important channel for the media in the South West to demonstrate the high standards they are achieving in their work."

Individual winners took home a cheque for £100 and a certificate, while company category winners were presented with a Bristol blue glass trophy.

The awards were open to newspapers and broadcasters in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

The judges were weekly newspaper boss Tim Robinson, former editor and journalism lecturer Gerry Kreibich, photographer Doug Marke, Sentinel editor Sean Dooley, EDF Energy head of media relations Andrew Brown and Kate Squire, managing editor at BBC Radio Leicester.

The event was compered by Bristol Evening Post associate editor Rob Stokes with ITV West presenter Fiona Wilson.

Click here for more photographs.

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