A former University of Sheffield student has won a coveted prize for the most outstanding result in the National Council for the Training of Journalists' Public Affairs Part One examination on local government.

Frances Booth, who studied the NCTJ preliminary examinations as part of an MA in print journalism at the university, scooped the prize after passing the exam with a distinction.

She collected the award from Martin Watkins, the acting chairman of the Local Government Association which annually sponsors the award, during the LG Communications annual conference dinner at the Maritime Museum in Liverpool.

Frances said: "I'm thrilled to win this award and would like to thank the LGA.

"It is a great way to encourage young journalists and to promote strong links between journalism and local government."

Frances now works for The Daily Telegraph as a trainee sub-editor at their offices in Canary Wharf.