See the full gallery of prizewinners here – plus what the judges said about each of the victorious entrants.

A regional daily reporter who started out in journalism just over a year ago has won the premier industry award in her region.

Tara Russell, of the Southern Daily Echo, was named both Newcomer of the Year and Daily Print Journalist of the Year at the EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards 2010.

Yesterday’s awards ceremony at Lingfield Park racecourse in Surrey followed a record 346 entries in the annual competition, held in association with HoldtheFrontPage.

Tara originally only entered the Newcomer category in the awards, but the judges were so impressed with her work they shortlisted her for the Daily Print Journalist category too.

Tara Russell pictured with her two awards alongside EDF Energy director Tim Moylin and guest presenter Ben Hawes

Said Tara: “I can’t quite believe it. I am absolutely over the moon.

“I was only going to enter the one category and when they told me I had been shortlisted for the print category too I was absolutely shocked!”

Other big winners included Simon Dack of The Argus, who chalked up his third victory in the news photographer of the year category.

And there was a second win for Faith Eckersall of Bournemouth’s Daily Echo in the columnist of the year category.

In the big team categories, the Daily Echo was named Daily Newspaper of the Year, while the weekly paid-for title went to the Kentish Gazette.

There were two awards for the Camden New Journal, which won the weekly free newspaper of the year title along with community campaign of the year for its successful battle to save Whittington Hospital.

The full list of winners was as follows:

Newcomer of the Year: Tara Russell, Southern Daily Echo

Environmental Journalist of the Year: Yvette Austin, BBC South East

Business Journalist of the Year: Simon Carr, Southern Daily Echo

News Photographer of the Year: Simon Dack, The Argus

Sports Journalist of the Year: Neil Allen, The News, Portsmouth

Feature Writer of the Year: Ian Ray, The Argus

Columnist of the Year: Faith Eckersall, Daily Echo, Bournemouth

Designer of the Year: Pete Gavan, The News, Portsmouth

Radio Journalist of the Year: Charlie O’Brien, Heart

Television Journalist of the Year: Reshma Rumsey, ITV Meridian

Weekly Print Journalist of the Year: Simon Tulett, Gravesend & Dartford Messenger Series

Daily Print Journalist of the Year: Tara Russell, Southern Daily Echo

Website of the Year: bournemouthecho.co.uk

Community Campaign of the Year: Camden New Journal – Save the Whittington

Front Page of the Year: Daily Echo, Bournemouth – ‘I’m going to miss you so much’

Radio news or current affairs programme of the year: Mark Carter, BBC Surrey

Television news or current affairs programme of the year: ITV Meridian Tonight.

Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year: Camden New Journal

Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year: Kentish Gazette

Daily Newspaper of the Year: Daily Echo, Bournemouth