A series of interviews with some of Tyneside’s most notorious gangsters earned ncjMedia’s Dan Warburton the Young Journalist of the Year prize at the Regional Press Awards.

The award, for journalists aged 26 or under on 31 December 2010 was sponsored by HoldtheFrontPage.

Dan overcame competition from Ryan Crighton of the Press and Journal, who was highly-commended, and four other shortlisted candidates – Claire Duffin of the Derby Telegraph, Matthew Holehouse of The Herald, Glasgow, Joe Shute of the Yorkshire Post, and Chris Watt of the Herald and Times, Glasgow.

He is pictured below receiving the award from HoldtheFrontPage publisher Paul Linford.

In their citation the judges said Dan had put together “a powerful portfolio which the judges said would make any national reporter proud. ”

“His face-to-face interviews with some of Tyneside’s notorious gangsters demonstrated bravery, cunning, legal knowledge, tenacity and great writing skill,” they said.

After the ceremony Dan thanked his editors, Brian Aitken of The Journal and Paul Robertson of the Evening Chronicle, for helping launch his career.

Said Dan:  “I  achieved this award because Brian took a chance on me and I owe it to him and Paul for what they’ve given me the chance to do.”

Paul Linford added:  “When the discussions first got under way about reviving the regional press awards this year, we were determined to do all we could to make it a reality.

“We are very proud to be associated with these awards and in particular to be sponsoring the Young Journalist of the Year prize, the entries for which have demonstrated that our industry has a very bright future.”