NORTHERN Echo health correspondent Barry Nelson has won a prestigious award for his unstinting coverage of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale.

The consultant gynaecologist was struck off for a string of botched operations which left scores of patients in agony.

Nelson's reporting of the case was cited by judges who awarded him the Newquest Daily Newspaper Reporter of the Year accolade.

Judges also praised his coverage of attempts to reshape the face of Hannah Maxwell-Jones, the girl whose plight touched the hearts of people throughout the region.

With The Northern Echo's help, the toddler, from Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough, has undergone successful surg-ery at a childrens' hospital in America.

Judges praised Nelson's "in-depth reporting", adding: "He is clearly a journalist willing to go the extra mile in search of a good story."

Newsquest is one of Britain's biggest newspaper publishers with a portfolio of more than 300 titles, including The Northern Echo and the Darlington & Stockton Times.

After his win, Nelson said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the award. It's a real pleasure writing for a paper like The Northern Echo.