Chester Chronicle reporter Rachel Flint has been named the North West’s Weekly Newspaper Journalist of the Year in this year’s O2 Media Awards.

Rachel was praised for her determined and sensitive reporting which had secured her a series of exclusive stories during the year.

The panel praised her investigations into DIY burglary sets being sold on the internet and the shocking story of how the Countess of Chester Hospital had set up a portable cabin in its car park to treat patients.

Her award was presented by husband and wife Mike and Ann Coriam, from Guilden Sutton, parents of Rebecca Coriam, who went missing in suspicious circumstances while working on a Disney cruise ship in Mexico.

Rachel had continued to cover Rebecca’s story since her disappearance nearly three years ago in a bid to solve the mystery into what had happened to the 24-year-old.

Newsroom colleague Carmella De Lucia also won praise from the awards judges who described her as a multi-talented young writer with a fabulous interview and reporting style.

Also highly commended was the Crewe Chronicle’s crime reporter Ellie Cullen and Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News reporter Oliver Clay.

Runners up in the O2 media awards Weekly Journalist of the Year: Ellis Butcher, of the Westmorland Gazette, Ellie Cullen of the Crewe Chronicle, Carmella De Lucia of the Chester Chronicle and Oliver Clay, of the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News
Runners up in the O2 media awards Weekly Journalist of the Year: Ellis Butcher, of the Westmorland Gazette, Ellie Cullen of the Crewe Chronicle, Carmella De Lucia of the Chester Chronicle and Oliver Clay, of the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

The Chester Chronicle’s sister paper The Liverpool Echo retained its crown as the North West's top daily newspaper.

The Echo also carried off the Team of the Year award for its Hillsborough coverage while staffers Joe Thomas and Jason Roberts added to the paper’s haul, picking up the titles of Young Journalist and Photographer of the Year respectively.

Rachel was also shortlisted for the Young Reporter of the Year award.

Runners up in the Young Journalist of the Year award at the 02 Media Awards Richard Wheatstone, Manchester Evening News, Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle and Daniel Hewitt and Adam McLean of ITV Granada
Runners up in the Young Journalist of the Year award at the 02 Media Awards Richard Wheatstone, Manchester Evening News, Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle and Daniel Hewitt and Adam McLean of ITV Granada