TELEGRAPH & Argus columnist Helen Mead won an award created specially for her at last night's O2 Media Awards for Yorkshire and The Humber.

Helen, who has written a weekly column for the T&A for more than 20 years, was presented with a Best Columnist award at the ceremony, held at Leeds United Football Club.

Organisers Rossiter Media Ltd tweeted: "The panel decided that two of the nominees (in the Writer category) should receive awards to recognise their individual skill-sets and this year the judges wanted to create a specific award for her (Helen) based on her skill as a columnist."

The O2 Media Awards ceremony was presented by journalist and BBC Breakfast anchor Louise Minchin, who said: "Columnist Helen Mead packs a punch. Whimsical, self-deprecating, but never self-indulgent...this is a writer who readers seek out. She knows her core audience, but her subject material is so entertaining anyone reading it would enjoy."

Shortlisted in the Sports Journalist category was T&A Chief Sports Writer Simon Parker.

Louise Minchin said: "Simon demonstrated an all-rounder’s ability to tackle a wide variety of sports, each handled with the same flair. He also has an ability to extract human interest storylines.

"Whether it was teasing an exclusive from a football club chairman, a colour piece reflecting on a weekend game or challenging big names in his gritty column, this was an extremely talented reporter and writer."