YORK & County Press staff were showered with prizes at Newsquest's Advertising, Newspaper Sales and Distribution Awards.

Advertising staff scooped awards in five categories and were highly commended in three others at a glittering London ceremony, yesterday.

More than 150 people attended an awards lunch, which saw York & County Press take the prizes for best mono newspaper advertisement, best co-partnership project, best entertainment and leisure initiative, and best studio.

Mandy Key was named field sales executive of the year, and Gary Sullivan was highly commended in the category of telephone executive of the year.

The company's free lifestyle magazine YO1 was recognised with a highly commended prize in the best niche publication category.

York & County Press was also praised for its Christmas campaign, winning another highly commended from the judges.

The company publishes the Evening Press, the Gazette & Herald, YO1, the Star series, and the website www.thisisyork.co.uk

The awards were handed out by Newsquest chief executive Paul Davidson.

Avril Oliver, York & County Press head of advertising, said: "We are thrilled to win five awards and receive highly recommended in another three categories.

"We are delighted that Mandy Key won the very prestigious Newsquest field sales person of the year award and that Gary Sullivan was highly commended in the best telephone sales person of the year.

"It was a great day and we celebrated a wonderful achievement in style."

Updated: 10:55 Wednesday, April 09, 2003