SOUTHERNPRINT has won its second major national award in less than 12 months after being named Consumer Magazine Printer of the Year.

The Dorset-based company scooped the title in the face of stiff competition at the prestigious PrintWeek Awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London.

In their citation, the judges said: "Commended last year, Southern-print steps up to the winner's podium this time around thanks to its innovative and high-quality work."

The judging panel singled out Southernprint's work on titles such as Monocle, the new magazine created by Wallpaper founder Tyler Brule, for particular praise.

The judges said: "Southernprint worked closely on Monocle's design in order to find a way to bind a supplement between the last section and the cover - a feat previously considered almost impossible."

Just 11 months ago Southernprint won another major title when it was named Magazine Printing Company of the Year at the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) Magazine Production Awards.

Managing director Charles Jarrold described the firm's latest achievement as "a huge feather in Southernprint's cap".

He added: "The PrintWeek Consumer Magazine Printer of the Year is one of the most prestigious awards in our industry.

"Winning it this year is fantastic recognition of all the hard work that's going on at the moment and is a great credit to all our staff. I'm delighted."

More than 1,300 people attended the awards ceremony which was hosted by comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw and featured 24 separate categories.