A Midlands reporter has been crowned young journalist of the year at an awards scheme celebrating people from ethnic minorities.

Cara Simpon, a senior with the Coventry Telegraph, picked up the prize in London in front of former PM Tony Blair whose wife Cherrie presented the 26-year-old with her award on Tuesday night.

She received £500 and will enjoy work experience at the Daily Mail in recognition of her efforts at the 11th annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards.

Cara’s winning portfolio included a feature on an organ donor campaign to encourage more people to sign the NHS Donor Register, culminating in the British Transplant Games, held in Coventry.

She was also praised for her involvement with the George Viner Memorial Fund Trust, which supports budding journalists of an ethnic minority background, through postgraduate courses with financial help and advice.

She said: “It was a fantastic honour to be awarded the title and I felt privileged to be in the company of so many amazing and inspiring people.”

Cara has been a journalist since 2006 and was last year crowned newcomer of the year at the Midlands Media Awards.