A trainee reporter picked up both a trophy and an exclusive story followed up by several nationals at a regional award ceremony.

Earlier this month telecommunications firm O2 hosted its inaugural Media Awards for Greater Manchester and Lancashire where the Chorley Guardian’s Natalie Banks was crowned weekly young journalist of the year.

Presenting the award for TV broadcast journalist was Jessica Knight – the Chorley teenager who nearly died after being stabbed 23 times in January last year – for a series of interviews she did with the BBC’s Dave Guest.

After the prizes had been handed out, Natalie began chatting to Jessica’s mother and discovered that the 15-year-old had only received £18,895 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Guardian editor Chris Maguire said: “We were all stunned. Jessica had been stabbed 23 times so the award amounted to about £800 a wound – and then there was the stroke and mental anguish she suffered.

“Immediately after Jessica was stabbed in 2008 we launched a campaign on her behalf and helped raise thousands of pounds for her so we could send her to Florida to swim with dolphins.

“The day after winning the award, Natalie interviewed Jill properly and we splashed with it on our front page (above) with a picture taken of Jessica immediately after she was attacked.

“We knew it was a huge story and the Mirror, Star, Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Express, BBC and a host of TV, radio stations and websites picked it up.

“Getting fairer compensation is something we are going to pursue with vigour and we’re reasonably confident we are going to get a good result.”

Award-winning Natalie added: “It was an amazing feeling to win the award but being able to help Jessica win a fairer compensation settlement by writing the story was even more rewarding.

“I just suppose it goes to show that you never know when you are going to stumble across the next big exclusive – even at an awards do.”