A daily newspaper boss has won his company’s top editorial award by being named its Editor of the Year.

Toby Granville, 38, group editor of the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, received the award as part of the annual excellence awards organised by regional publishing group Newsquest.

Toby was recognised for his achievements as editor of the Dorset Echo in Weymouth during 2011 with judges praising his leadership, motivation and inspiration, creativity, cost control and quality.

He was particularly praised for the Dorset Echo’s success throughout the year as the best performing daily newspaper for sales and for creating a digital strategy that saw its website achieve the greatest audience growth in Newsquest in 2011.

Toby was appointed group editor of the two Echo titles in December after the departure of long-serving Bournemouth editor Neal Butterworth.

He said: “I am delighted to have been named Editor of the Year, and I would like to dedicate this award to my hard-working team for helping me achieve it.”

Newsquest Dorset managing director Vincent Boni said: “Toby is a tower of strength and creativity that we all benefit from.

“Under Toby’s group editorship I am looking forward to seeing development of our teams and products.”

Other awards saw Wiltshire Times photographer Trevor Porter receive an unsung hero award for his ‘dedication and devotion to not only getting the scoop but also being part of and assisting in the local community, and going above and beyond expectations.’

Trevor has worked at the Times since 1980, first on a freelance basis, and as a full-time member of staff from 1999.

He has won photographer of the year three times in the Wiltshire Media Awards.

Said Trevor: “It’s really nice to get an award for doing something you love.”

Newsquest chairman and CEO Paul Davidson visited each winner to present them with their award.

The rest of the awards went to:

Managing directors and publishers award: Audience development director Shân Millie

Senior Advertisement Sales Managers: Peter Gillespie, Scotland, Glasgow

Newspaper Sales: Rachael Youd, Oxford & Wiltshire

Digital Media:  Beverley Fletcher, South West

Innovator of the Year: Chris Cherry, Digital Media

Sales Executive of the Year: Nikki Collins, Digital Media