We picked up six prestigious prizes for the paper's news and sports coverage for our print and online editions.

The awards at The Customs House in South Shields were sponsored by eDF Energy, and celebrated the best examples of journalism in the North East Press group from the last year.

The Mail's deputy news editor Ian Willis scooped the best story award for breaking the news of a local yob who urinated on a dying woman in the street. The story was later followed up by a host of national newspapers.

Ian also won the award for best daily reporter's portfolio for what the judges described as his "confident yet not sensationalist" writing style.

Young Mail reporter Tracy Walker shared the trainee of the year award with Ross Robertson from the Sunderland Echo.

Deputy sports editor Ian Monaghan won best back page for producing a series of eye-catching and easy to read stories.

The Mail's John Fleet won the best daily front page award for presenting stories including Hartlepool's Ghost Ships saga.

The Hartlepool Mail's production team also walked away with the prize for producing the Best Inside Pages on a daily title.

The paper was also highly commended for our website contribution, Sort Out Steetley campaign and Gavin Ledwith's Straight Talking sports column.

Mail editor Joy Yates said: "The first North East Press Awards was an excellent event and we are grateful to eDF for their support.

"The Hartlepool Mail was recognised in a number of categories including best story, front page and back page which reflects the superb contribution from our dedicated talented and loyal staff."