Award scoop.

THE ECHO swept the board at an awards ceremony as reporters, writers and photographers were rewarded for their contribution to the newspaper industry.

The O2 awards, based at the company's headquarters in Preston Brook, recognised the talent and hard work which goes into newspapers.

Winners included Paddy Shennan, who won Feature Writer of the Year for the second year in a row; Luke Traynor for Reporter of the Year; Ben Schofield for Young Journalist of the Year; Gareth Jones for Photographer of the Year; David Bartlett for Business Reporter of the Year; and Jade Wright, named Entertainment Reporter of the Year along with Laura Davis.

Laura, arts editor for the ECHO's sister paper the Daily Post, also won Digital Journalist of the Year.

ECHO editor Alastair Machray said: "It is great our journalists were recognised for their excellence."

CAPTION(S):

WINNERS: Ben Schofield, left, Gareth Jones, David Bartlett and Jade Wright TWO TIMES A WINNER: Paddy Shennan picks up his award for Feature Writer of the Year at the O2 awards in Preston Brook