PRAISE was lauded on The Westmorland Gazette at a glitzy awards ceremony which celebrated the best of journalism across the North West.

The paper returned from the o2 Media Awards, held at Chester Racecourse last night, with a haul of three Highly Commended gongs in the Community Journalism, Stand Out and Magazine of the Year categories.

Judges were impressed with our work during the floods of December 2015 and also for the glossy quarterly magazine - Limited Edition.

Hillsborough campaigners, Royal Family actress Sue Johnston, GB Olympic Diving Gold medal winners Jack Laugher and Chris Mears, Gogglebox's Woerdenweber family and stars of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks all presented awards throughout the evening.

Campaigns including Battling Back from the Floods, Flood Heroes, Give Robbie Room and Save our Fire Stations saw the Gazette shortlisted in the Community Journalism category.

Presenter Dave Massey, from o2, told those gathered: "When South Lakeland was hit by the worst floods in half a century, the Gazette launched a community campaign to offer support and guidance to victims.

"The in-paper and on-line initiative gave practical advice to get residents back on their feet. It supported local businesses and highlighted the acts of kindness by those who went the extra mile to help others. The panel said this was a well executed operation that offered hope to those devastated by the floods."

Michelle Livesey, from Key 103 radio station, won the award.

Tom Murphy, who worked on the Gazette's website during the floods, was shortlisted in the Stand Out category.

Mr Massey said: "Tom worked tirelessly to keep readers of the Westmorland Gazette fully informed when South Lakeland was deluged by floods last December.

"He stayed on duty through the weekend storms to file words, pictures and video. But what made his performance even more remarkable - and such a credit to this young reporter, was the fact that flood waters were also pouring into his home."

Bill Jacobs, of the Blackburn-based Lancashire Telegraph, won the award.

And our Limited Edition magazine, which is placed in hotels, retail outlets and restaurants throughout the Lakes, Lune and Dales, was Highly Commended in the Magazine of the Year.

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin said: "A well presented lifestyle magazine with varied content and reader friendly design. Articles on travel, homes and fashion, together with stylishly displayed advertising, made it a perfect coffee table read."

Cumbria Life won the award.