A regional daily journalist has won a prestigious award for up-and-coming media talent.

Sam Blackledge, chief reporter at the Plymouth Herald, has been named on the MHP 30 to Watch 2016 list.

The awards, launched in 2012, help celebrate the influence and importance of young journalists who are making a difference to the UK media industry.

In November, Sam was named Journalist of the Year at the Mind media awards for his work on the Herald’s Safer Space campaign, which aimed to highlight the issue of mental health patients being detained in police cells.

Sam, pictured above at the awards, said: “I am surprised and honoured to win an MHP 30 To Watch award, having been the only regional journalist on the longlist of 100.

“The Herald’s Safer Spaces campaign, highlighting mental health provision, is something I am very proud of.

“It’s so encouraging to see that investigative journalism is still being recognised, and that local newspapers can still make a difference.”

Ian Kirby, head of media at MHP Communications, said: “We believe that there are too few champions of the UK media industry – and particularly of the contribution of young journalists.

“It is for this reason that we believe it so important to celebrate the achievements of young journalists today and the impact they continue to have – on their editorial teams, as well as online, on social media and most importantly; with their readers.”

Last year’s list included Annabelle Dickson, group political editor for Archant.

The full list can be seen here.