A weekly newspaper currently celebrating its 200th anniversary has been honoured by the UK’s newsagents.

The Cumberland News was named Regional Newspaper of the Year by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents at its annual awards in London on Tuesday night.

The NFRN, which represents 15,000 independent convenience retailers in Great Britain and Ireland, cited the News’s “campaigning stance, appeals and great journalism” as reasons for the accolade.

The other titles nominated for the honour were the Leicester Mercury, Munster Express, Southern Daily Echo and Sunday Mail.

Pictured are Richard Russell from e-cigarette company Diamond Mist who sponsored the award, two representatives from the Cumberland News and radio presenter Nick Ferrari, who hosted the awards

The award citation reads: “One of Cumbria’s best known newspapers, the Cumberland News is this year celebrating its 200th anniversary.

“Its longevity is due to its campaigning stance, appeals and great journalism but most of all, through working closely with the local newsagents who stock it.”

The CN Group-owned News marked its 200th anniversary in June by reprinting its first edition from 1815, when it went under the title The Patriot.

A visit from Princess Anne and the launch of an air ambulance appeal have also formed part of the celebrations.