Reporter with the Highland News, Inverness, Helen Bushnell, is the Highlands and Islands Journalist of the Year.

Helen (25) is the youngest winner of the prestigious award, which carries a £500 prize - £300 of which will go to a charity of her choice. She received the prize from Depute First Minister Jim Wallace at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball, which was held at the Newton Hotel, Nairn, on Friday night.

From Torrin, Skye, and educated at Portree High School, Helen has worked for the Highland News for three years. A previous Young Journalist of the Year, she impressed judges with her range of news reports and features.

The Depute First Minister also presented the Barron Trophy, to Martin Macdonald, the Skye-born writer and broadcaster now living in Inverness, for lifetime achievement to journalism as well as the following category winners:-

Young Journalist of the Year: Ally McGilvray, John O'Groat Journal; Sports Writer of the Year: Robert Leslie, Orkney Today; Local Newspaper Photographer of the Year, Eric Cormack, Northern Scot; Photographer of the Year, John Baikie, Caithness freelance; Local Newspaper Reporter of the Year, Gavin Musgrove, Strathspey and Badenoch Herald; Reporter of the Year, Peter Jones, Moray News Agency; Feature Writer of the Year, Claire Doughty, Highland News; Community Newspaper of the Year, The Touler, Tomintoul; and Newspaper of the Year, Northern Scot.

The awards are sponsored by Diageo, the world's premium drinks company, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The Press Ball, which has gifted £40,000 for charities across the Highlands and  Islands over the last 15 years, raised an estimated £3,500 on Friday.

This will be divided equally among four organisations - the Highland Hospice; the Sunshine Holiday Fund, the Highlands and Islands Tape Service for Blind People and the Maggie's Centre Highland Appeal.