A LIFESTYLE magazine has been named best in the region at a prestigious awards scheme.

Yorkshire Living magazine, produced by teams based at The Northern Echo, Darlington; The Telegraph and Argus, Bradford, and The Press, York, was named best Specialist Publication in Yorkshire and the Humber at the O2 Media Awards.

As well as being described as the best lifestyle magazine in the region, judges said Yorkshire Living was “chic, upmarket and beautifully designed with strong editorial content.”

Publisher Jenny Thompson said: “Living has a clear brand position as the society magazine for Yorkshire and the North-East; delivering creative designs with first-class editorial.

“We know exactly what our readers want to read about and work closely with our commercial customers to deliver bespoke solutions. For this hard work to be recognised by the industry is truly fantastic.”

Editor Francine Clee paid tribute to the talented staff who had made the award possible. “They really deserve the recognition,” she said. “It is a great reward for all their hard work.”

This year’s awards were held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and attracted an audience of 150 media professionals across print, digital and broadcast organisations.

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin hosted the event.

Awards were presented by media representatives and members of the Yorkshire public who had featured in regional and national news stories through the year.

With almost 300 individual entries the O2 Awards are the biggest regional press awards in the country.