Snapshots of success in top awards

highly commended . . . Darren Robinson (images), Ken Bennett (scoop) and Robbie MacDonald (magazine)

JOURNALISM and photography from the Oldham Evening Chronicle and its Oldham Business Edge magazine were highlighted at the O2 North-West Media Awards last night.

The newspaper and magazine were finalists in three categories of the awards, which recognise the best of regional media.

Chronicle photographer Darren Robinson was highly commended in the Images of the Year category.

Series

He submitted a portfolio of photographs including astronomy expert Professor Brian Cox, Edwina Currie at Oldham Sixth Form College, the Oldham v Keighley rugby promotion final, poppies at Oldham War Memorial and Radclyffe School pupil Sharmin Ahmed waiting for her GCSE results.

The Chronicle's Saddleworth reporter Ken Bennett was highly commended in the Scoop of the Year category for his series of reports about the mysterious death of an unknown man found on the moors near Dovestone Reservoir. The man had travelled from London to Greenfield, visiting a local pub, before his body was discovered on the heights. Police investigations are ongoing and the story has been featured in national newspapers and on radio.

Finally, Oldham Business Edge magazine was highly commended in the Magazine of the Year category.

The quarterly, free magazine was launched in 2015 and is subscription-based. It is written by Chronicle business editor Robbie MacDonald with photographs by Darren Robinson, Anthony Miller, Tim Bradley and Paul Sterritt, and is designed by Paul Genty.

The magazine is currently sponsored by Ryder & Dutton, Pearson Solicitors & Financial Advisers, First Choice Homes, Oldham College, Oldham Community Leisure and the Stoller Charitable Trust. Innovative Technology was a founding sponsor during the first year.

This year's ceremony was held at Chester Racecourse and hosted by the BBC's Louise Minchin.

Nicola Green, director of communications and reputation at O2 UK, said: "Congratulations to those who made the final.

"Selecting the shortlisted nominees this year was particularly difficult as the standards were so high.

"Last night was a celebration of some superb journalism and a reminder of just how important the regional media is to all the local communities."