A WESTMORLAND Gazette reporter achieved the highest mark in the country for her answer to a tricky law question in her senior journalist exams.

Katie Dickinson, who joined the newspaper in July 2013, was praised by examiners for passing the media law and practice National Qualification in Journalism exam with a record-breaking 91 per cent.

She won the Ted Bottomley Award and a £250 cash prize.

“I’m delighted to pass my seniors and it was a fantastic surprise to learn that I had won the award for the best media law and practice paper," said Katie.

“I’d like to thank Mike Addison and Andrew Thomas at The Westmorland Gazette for all their help and support over the past 18 months.”

The main thrust of the law side of the paper required candidates to show how qualified privilege and the Contempt of Court Act 1981 worked, plus where and when you can take photographs.

In praising Katie’s answer, examiners said: “This was an outstanding paper. Katie not only showed good knowledge of law and ethics, but she also expressed it with clarity. She picked up on the problems and explained logically how best to deal with them. To drop only nine marks is exceptional."