THE Daily Echo has carried off trophies in two different regional award prize-givings.

The RSPCA has given the paper a prize for its coverage of animal issues, while Echo editor Neal Butterworth has been named Columnist of the Year at the EDF Energy awards.

Echo reporter and pets correspondent Fiona Pendlebury was presented with the RSPCA Regional Award (Print Media) at the RSPCA South Regional Conference at The Fairground Hall in Weyhill near Andover.

The paper was praised for having its own correspondent devoted to animal issues, for promoting animal welfare and for not being afraid to show its readers the stark reality of animal cruelty.

Those attending the conference also got the chance to check out a presentation board of some of the stories that caught the eye of the RSPCA.

They included the case of roofer Andrew Neil Murphy, who starved his two dogs and was banned from keeping all animals for 15 years.

Our coverage of the case of Kevin McGrath of Bournemouth, who became the first person in the country to be convicted of cruelty under new animal welfare legislation, was also highlighted and also the Echo's regular stories on animals needing new homes.

Speaking afterwards RSPCA spokesman Jo Barr said: "The Echo is a wonderful example of responsible media that is interested in and actively promotes animal welfare.

"It is not afraid to show its readers the harsh reality of what the RSPCA deals with on a daily basis and they rarely back away from a difficult picture.

"The paper is proactive when it comes to educating its readers on pet care and they ensure that even those cute pictures come with a serious warning about the serious commitment of pet ownership.

"All in all they are a credit to the regional media."

On the same day, editor Neal Butterworth scooped the title of Columnist of the Year for London and the South of England at the EDF Energy awards.

The Daily Echo was also highly commended in other categories including newspaper of the year, best front page of the year and best website.

Highly commended were feature writer Natalie Bruckner, photographer Richard Crease and columnist Ed Perkins.