Salisbury Journal motoring correspondent Melissa Terry has been named the Mitsubishi Motors’ Regional Motoring Journalist of the Year.

She received the award from the Guild of Motoring Writers after being praised for her “boundless enthusiasm for journalism and passion for motoring”.

She has been with the Journal for the last 16 years, as a designer and sub-editor, but in the last five years she has combined these duties with being the paper’s head motoring correspondent.

She said: “I originally joined the Journal’s production team after completing a design course at college, and design has always been something I have loved doing.

“But I have always been passionate about cars and, when the previous motoring editor left five years ago, I volunteered to take over. I’m glad I did because I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

She added: “I have motoring in my genes – my dad was a karting champion and his brother, my uncle, rode motorbikes – and growing up I could not help but absorb a love of motoring.

“It is because I love cars so much it is easy for me to write about them, and it seems strange to receive national recognition for something I love doing.”

Melissa collected her prize at the RAC Club in London’s Pall Mall, where she was the only female winner.

She said: “Motor journalism is, undoubtedly, a man’s world so to win this award is a way of proving women can do the job just as well.

“Although I’m a woman, I write for everyone who enjoys motoring, regardless of gender, and I try to concentrate on the important details, whether I’m writing about cars, events or people.

“It is difficult because I am sure most of my readers are male, so I need the articles to be of a standard they will enjoy.

“But, at the same time, I want to open motoring up to women as well.”

Gabi Whitfield, of Mitsubishi Motors UK, which sponsors the award, said: “Melissa stood out for her boundless enthusiasm for journalism and passion for motoring and also for her professionalism in terms of the range and quality of articles she produces.”

The Guild of Motoring Writers is made up of the UK’s leading motoring journalists including newspaper, magazine, TV and radio staff.