Gazette named Weekly Newspaper of the Year

The Gazette saw off the challenge of weekly newspapers from around the country to take the group's top award for paid for titles under 64 pages.

Editor Mel Vasey was presented with the unique hand-made glass trophy by Newsquest Chief Executive Paul Davidson at a prestigious awards

ceremony in London.

The judge's citation described the Gazette as: "Jam-packed with news about people and a campaign on behalf of the people.

"Lots of well used pictures, authoratitive and informative, yet pleasing on the eye. Good community news section and behind the scenes bigger read.

"Well laid out comment section and good presentation of readers' letters and views section.

"A good comprehensive package, which is at the heart of its market place."

Another newspaper in the Newsquest (Bradford) division, the Craven Herald, was runner-up to the Gazette. The Herald was described as 'a goldmine of local news' and 'a brilliant package', by the judge.

Mr Vasey (pictured left with the trophy) said: "We are obviously delighted that the Gazette has been judged to be the best in a group which is the largest publisher of local and regional newspapers in England and Wales.

"It is heartening for our journalists to know that their skills and efforts in bringing an information service 52 weeks of the year have been

recognised in a highly competitive industry. It also says much about the standard of local journalism in Yorkshire in that the runner-up was also from this part of the world."

At the ceremony, Emma Clayton, of another sister paper, the Telegraph & Argus, won the Journalist of the Year award for her campaigning series on Bradford's Capital of Culture bid.

l Earlier this year the Gazette was runner-up in the Yorkshire Press Awards.