A Midlands daily has been praised for its “exemplary coverage” of county cricket after scooping a national journalism prize.

The Derby Telegraph was named Regional Newspaper of the Year in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s annual County Cricket Journalism Awards.

Sports reporter Mark Eklid, left, was presented with the award at the Lord’s Taverners as part of an official reception for County Championship winners Durham.

Mark told HTFP he was delighted to win the award after the Local World-owned newspaper was highly commended in the same category last year.

The ECB’s chief executive, David Collier, said the Telegraph presented exemplary coverage of county cricket at home and away in what he conceded was a harsh economic climate for provincial papers.

Said Mark:  “That pleased me a lot because it does take a lot of effort and good will to keep a reporter out there for the whole summer these days.

“I’m fortunate to have an editor and sports editor who appreciate the value of county cricket to the newspaper and then the advertising department do a great job in locating the sponsorship backing which makes it viable to cover every game.

“That makes it possible for me to do the job the way I believe it should be done and it’s great to be able to collect an award for the Derby Telegraph to hopefully make everybody who has contributed feel their efforts were worth while.”

The Yorkshire Post also received the Special Award in recognition of being the outstanding regional newspaper over the past three years.

Judges made specific reference to the title’s outstanding supplements to mark Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s 150th anniversary.

The judging of the awards was conducted by a four-strong panel comprising the chairman of the Cricket Writers’ Club, Pat Gibson, BBC Radio reporter Kevin Howells, Paul Bolton, who covers county cricket regularly for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, and Mr Collier.