Three Echo journalists have been recognised as the region’s best at an awards ceremony.

Southend and Castle Point crime reporter Helen Barnett was named daily print journalist of the year at the EDF Energy East of England Media Awards today.

Political reporter Jon Austin received the specialist journalist of the year award, while the Echo’s Sadie Hasler was named columnist of the year.

Paralympic swimmer Lauren Steadman presented the awards at the ceremony at Norwich City Football Club.

Helen said: “I really love writing about Southend and I am really pleased people have been able to share their stories with me."

The awards haul came a day after the Echo was named as the best-performing paid-for English daily newspaper when circulation figures for the second half of 2014 were released.