A NORTH-East printer has won a national award.

The firm, simpsongroup, of Washington, Wearside, was presented with the gold award in the poster category of this year's Screen Printing Association (SPA) awards.

The competition was judged by a panel of industry representatives, who chose simpsongroup for work carried out on behalf of Newcastle design agency Element 5.

The entries were judged against a strict set of criteria which focused on print quality, including balance, texture and tonal detail.

Mark Simpson, managing director of simpsongroup, said: "We continuously strive to ensure all of our printed materials are produced to the highest standards.

"This award recognises our commitment to quality, and we are delighted to receive it.

"It reaffirms our belief that we are producing print that is among the best in the industry."

The winning poster, which was one of a series of three, was printed on behalf of Element 5's fashion and menswear client Urban Stone.

The poster depicts a bedroom scene and was displayed in stores across the country.

The company is in line for other awards, after being nominated as one of the finalists in the IBM Award for Digital Print, at this year's Printing World Awards.