A journalism lecturer has been named Environment Writer of the Year in a new set of awards designed to recognise excellence in home and property-related writing.

Sarah Lonsdale, who lectures in reporting and writing at the new Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent, won the accolade for her ‘Greenpiece’ articles in the Daily Telegraph.

The column encourages readers to reduce the environmental impact of their daily lives, from reducing energy usage to growing fruit and vegetables in allotments and gardens.

It won her the top prize at the inaugural Headline Property Awards ceremony, held in London last week.

Sarah, who has been lecturing at the university for two years, said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be a winner. “To be recognised as a leading light in reporting on this major issue is a huge honour,” she said.

“The column has taken a particularly critical stance on the Government’s record for combating climate change. Even today, in the face of mounting evidence that irreversible and catastrophic climate change is upon us, there seems to be an almost head-in-the-sand approach from policy makers as to the enormous changes we are going to have to make in our lives over the next few years.”

Tim Luckhurst, professor of journalism at the University of Kent, said: “Sarah’s excellence as a reporter makes her a brilliant and inspiring teacher for the new generation of multimedia journalists, who will begin learning the profession at our Medway campus from September.”

Earlier this year the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) gave full accreditation to the Centre for Journalism’s new degree programme.