Issued on behalf of Highlands and Islands Media Awards:

A lifetime of achievement in journalism by Pauline Taylor, the editor of  the award-winning Northern Scot, Elgin, is to be marked by her colleagues with the award of the prestigious Barron Trophy.

Pauline will receive the award from First Minister Jack McConnell at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball, which is being held at the Newton Hotel, Nairn, on Friday 7 February.

First donated in 1950 by the late Evan Barron, editor of the Inverness Courier, the award recognises excellence and outstanding service to journalism in the Highlands and Islands over a long period.

Pauline has completed 43 years in journalism, the last 24 years having been spent with the Northern Scot. In that time she has risen from the rank of senior reporter to chief reporter, news editor and now editor.

She is a past winner of the Scottish weekly journalist of the year title and during her time of stewardship, the newspaper has won a hat-trick of awards. She was chief reporter when 'The Scot' was named Highland and Islands local newspaper of the year in 2001;  and editor when the paper won the BT Scottish weekly newspaper of the year award and the BT UK weekly newspaper of the year, last year.

Pauline has also taken on a prominent campaigning role in the local community. This has included support for the Maternity Unit in Moray (MUM) campaign, which helped secure a specialist maternity unit at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin, and the recent Moray Hospice Campaign.

More recently, Pauline instigated the Elgin by-pass campaign, which has attracted widespread support. Recently she addressed the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee in support of an 8,000 signature by-pass petition.

Pauline is always looking at ways to improve the paper and encourage readers of the future. To promote greater interest among younger readers, she launched a Scotty the Dog mascot, made by herself, who now attends a range of functions throughout the community.

Pauline said:  "I am honoured and delighted to accept this trophy but I do so - not just on my behalf - but on behalf of all my colleagues on the Northern Scot. Any successes that have been made by this newspaper have been as a result of a team effort. I have been very fortunate to work with a great bunch of sub-editors and reporters at the Scot."

Gordon Fyfe, chairman of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards judging panel, said: "Pauline is a very worthy winner of this prestigious award, which recognises the special contribution she has made to journalism in the Highlands.

"Her skill, hard work and dedication have helped steer the newspaper towards richly deserved success in local and national events and her campaigning style demonstrates the pride and care she has for her community."