Press Association

Press Association North East photographer tops regional journalism awards

Press Association Newcastle-based photographer Owen Humphreys bagged both photographic prizes - Photographer of the Year and Picture of the Year – at this year’s Tom Cordner North East Press Awards.

Working for the news agency since 1996, Humphreys’ emotional shot of football legend Paul Gascoigne at Sir Bobby Robson’s memorial service was nominated Picture of Year. Humphrey explains: “The Press Association was invited in to provide pool coverage of the service at Durham Cathedral which was attended by many leading figures from the world of football. It was an enormously moving event for everyone who loves soccer in the north east – Gazza had always treated him as his second Dad.”

Humphrey’s winning portfolio also featured a portrait of the north east’s world-famous rock star, Sting, under the famous Tyne bridge, the speed of greyhounds hitting a bend at Newcastle’s Brough Park and a poignant picture of Sir Bobby Robson at his cancer charity football match at St James’ Park a few days before he passed away after a long battle with the disease.

Martin Keene, group picture editor at Press Association Images, said: "Winning both the photographic categories is a fantastic recognition of Owen’s tireless work capturing key moments in the north east region. We are proud of him and congratulate him on this achievement."

The Tom Cordner North East Press Awards started when journalists set out to reward skill and achievement by individual newspaper people in the region. The Awards is a tribute to Tom Cordner who was news editor of the Hartlepool Mail when he died in 1976, aged only 38.