Former Manchester Evening News journalist Alan Salter has won a top award for his "bold and informative" coverage of transport issues.

The ex-transport correspondent, who left the MEN in July after 31 years, was named the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Journalist of the Year.

Judges praised him for consistently penning articles that grab your attention, and regularly getting transport issues onto the front page.

They said: "No matter how complex the issues, Alan seems to be able to get straight to the heart of the transport debate with copy and comment that will engage the general public.

"Never afraid to rattle anyone's cage, Alan's writing has a calm authority and he always tries hard to give the transport industry's side of the story.

"Alan pulls off that difficult trick: writing in easy-to-understand language without talking-down to his audience or belittling the major problems he tackles."

Alan's entry included pieces on congestion charging, the doubling of the fixed penalty for using a mobile phone whilst driving, and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport battle with bus companies over concessionary fares.

He was presented with the award at the CILT annual dinner at the Marriot Hotel in Grosvenor Square. He previously won the title in 1997.

Alan now runs his own agency, www.transportmatters.co.uk, specialising in transport journalism and public relations, working alongside former MEN crime correspondent Andrew Nott and ex-MEN sub-editor Mark Woodhouse.