Health writers from the regional press were praised for a strong showing at this year's Medical Journalism Awards, with journalists from the Birmingham Post, Norwich Evening News and Carlisle News & Star all scooping top prizes.

The awards, sponsored by Norwich Union Healthcare and administered in conjunction with the Medical Journalists' Association, are now in their 15th year and are open to national, regional and trade media.

Aimed at recognising the best of healthcare journalism and its critical role that it plays in educating and informing audiences, judges noted a number of quality entries from regional media.

They awarded the Financing Healthcare Consumer prize to Emma Brady from the Birmingham Post.

She received £1,000 after winning praise from judges for her piece 'IVF Cycle Remains a Lottery', beating Dave Masters from The Sun Online who received a special commendation.

Emma receives her award

Nicholas Timmins from The Financial Times, chair of the financing healthcare judges, said: "This is the second year running that Emma, a regional newspaper reporter, has walked away with the Norwich Union award, which presents a challenge to the nationals and the trade press.

"This was a thoroughly researched piece which required determination to get all the relevant information from her sources to highlight at local level a national issue - postcode lotteries."

Sarah Hall, from the Norwich Evening News (right), also won a top award from her article 'Clean up your act to fight superbug'.