Plymouth Herald reporter Liz Parks has scooped a top regional journalism award.

Liz, the Herald's business reporter, was named regional journalist of the year by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

She was chosen after judges received more than 25 nominations from public relations officers.

She received a certificate and a glass plaque at a black-tie CIPR PRide awards ceremony for the West of England, held at the Thistle Hotel in Bristol.

Liz said: "I was very surprised and very pleased to win.

"It was lovely to be nominated, and that made it even better because I knew I had been put forward for the award by other people in the communications industry.

"I think this shows that business stories are so important in local newspapers."

Sarah Pinch, head of communications at First Capital Connect, said: "Liz's success is very much based on her reputation and people's experience of her.

"She is always supportive, helpful and honest, and she has never been known to make a mistake or report anything inaccurately.

"She is unswayed by local gossip or rumour."