Express reporter Don Mort wins media award

The annual awards, held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, recognise the best print, digital and broadcast journalism in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Don was named Weekly News Reporter of the Year for a series of investigative articles after working editors and news executives judged entries in the contest.

The judging panel said: “These were the stories that had government agencies running for cover.

“He peeled back an NHS cover-up on 999 response times in Wakefield and told readers how their council tax was being spent to fund a planning application for a new Tesco store that no-one wanted.”

His award was announced by Educating Yorkshire star and head of Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury Jonny Mitchell in the contest, sponsored by Capita.

Judges also said the Express was well laid out and easy to navigate as we were named as a runner-up in the Best Paid for Weekly Newspaper category, which was won by the Scarborough News.

The judges said: “The Express has a high story count, bustling letters and comment pages. There was always a lot to read in each edition.

“It was also beautifully printed which helped with the overall quality feel.”

The event was attended by 150 media professionals and hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin.

Paul James, acting director of communications and reputation at O2 UK, said the judging panel were impressed by the examples of community journalism across Yorkshire and the Humber.

He said: “The O2 awards are a celebration of all that is good about regional media.”