Greenock Telegraph editor and photographer win prizes at Newquest Excellence Awards

Two senior editorial staff at Scotland's Greenock Telegraph have won awards at Newquest’s annual UK Excellence Awards.

The regional daily's editor Brian Hossack was named Newsquest’s editor of the Year for 2015 while photographer George Munro scooped Newsquest’s Unsung Hero award.

In a memo to staff, Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker spoke of "the absolute importance of good newspaper sales figures- something that last year was ably demonstrated by the Greenock Telegraph and editor Brian Hossack, who illustrated that you can achieve great digital audience growth and strong copy sales.”

Hossack has been editor at the Greenock Telegraph since 2013 while Munro has been at the Scottish title for more than 20 years.

Faure Walker added: "The amazing and hard-hitting local journalism that our news teams produce day in day out is epitomised by photography from the likes of George Munro, who defines ‘going the extra mile’ for his title."

Hossack said: "I was surprised, but absolutely delighted to win this UK award. Newsquest has around 50 editors successfully covering the whole of Britain, so to be chosen among this company is quite humbling.

"The award however is very much testament to the people who work at the Greenock Telegraph. The paper has a dedicated, talented and committed staff who are a pleasure to manage and work with. Any manager is only as good as his players, and I take real pride in the strong team ethic we have built here in Greenock. This award recognises not just my contribution, but that of everyone in that team.

"We also have a very loyal readership, and I would like to thank them for their continued support."

Munro said: "I've worked at the Telegraph for many years, and I'm proud to say we have a great paper that still provides a voice for the people of Inverclyde and the area."

Full list of journalism winners: