The Yorkshire Post and the Hinckley Times were named Daily and Weekly Newspapers of the Year in the prestigious BT UK Regional Press and Broadcast Awards 2000.

An audience of 240 journalists at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, heard praise lavished on the two titles.

The Yorkshire Post was honoured for the quality of its investigations and background reporting which, the judges said, stood comparison with any national newspaper. The Post consistently sets the news agenda for the region while still keeping its readers abreast of the national and international picture.

The Hickley Times, although small, demonstrated outstanding professionalism, service to the community and involvement with the concerns of its readers.

In total, 2,500 entries were received, and all the finalists at the ceremony in London had won their places at nine regional heats around the UK.

BBC newsreader Huw Edwards compered the event, which also saw Steve Panter of the Manchester Evening News named as Daily News Journalist of the Year. His investigation, which led to his paper naming a prime suspect in the Manchester bombing, was singled out for praise.

Mr Panter was arrested some months ago and is still waiting to hear from the Crown Prosecution Service if he will face charges connected with his investigations.

Weekly News Journalist of the Year was Edward Swinden of Manchester Metro News. His interview with the 13-year-old father of twin girls was described by the judges as excellently researched and powerfully presented.

A photographer from the Bournemouth Daily Echo collected the News Photographer of the Year award for the third time in the five years of the awards’ history. This year’s winner was Richard Crease.

A new award, for Website Publication of the Year, went to www.businessderbyshire.co.uk produced by the Derby Evening Telegraph

Each of nine individual category winners was presented with a trophy and a cheque for £1,000. The winners of the Daily and Weekly Newspaper, news/current affairs programme and website publication categories received a trophy and £1,000 for a charity of their choice.

Click here to see more about the winners.

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