A REPORTER from the Worcester News has scooped an award for his writing.

James Forrest, who started at the paper in September, was crowned travel writing student of the year at Birmingham Press Club’s inaugural Midlands Media Student Awards.

The 31-year-old, who studied at City of Wolverhampton College, received the gong for a feature about walking the 214 peaks featured in the seven pictorial guides by Alfred Wainwright.

The judges said: "James’ article is written with passion and beautifully pays homage to the Wainwright guides.

"Supported with some impressive photos, the piece draws the reader in and sustains interest right from the dramatic opening sentences.

"This is the kind of travel writing that might even convince armchair readers to put on their walking boots."

James said: "I am absolutely delighted to have won this award.

"I hope to write about travel and the great outdoors in the future, so hopefully this accolade will be the start of more to come.

"Walking in the Lake District is a bit of an obsession of mine and I’d like to think that passion came across in my feature about the Wainwright fells.

"I want to thank my college tutors for all their help and support and the Midlands Media Awards for organising such a fantastic event."

This is not the first time James has been singled out for his journalism skills.

In February he was presented with the Johnston Press award for court reporting at the NCTJ’s annual Student Council event.