A North West sports journalist has been named the best in the regional press for the third time in five years.

Jon Colman of Carlisle daily the News & Star and sister weekly the Cumberland News retained the regional sports writer of the year crown at last night’s Sports Journalism Awards.

It marked a hat-trick of wins for 32-year-old Jon who also took the prize in 2009.

Highly-commended in the regional sports writer category were Chris Wathan of Media Wales and Simon Walter of the Southern Daily Echo.

Jon’s entries included an in-depth interview with Carlisle United manager Gary Abbott in which he spoke revealingly of his childhood and upbringing.

He told HTFP:  “I am surprised and humbled.  In the regions there is so much talent and great journalism that doesn’t get recognised it feels a bit surreal that it’s me that’s won this.”

Last night’s event at the Grand Connaught Rooms in central London saw 2012 Olympics anchor Clare Balding named sports broadcaster of the year and the Telegraph’s Paul Hayward crowned sports writer of the year.

Scoop of the year prize went to Lawrence Booth of the Daily Mail for England cricketer Kevin Pietersen’s text messages.