The Press and its sister magazine have scooped titles in the country’s biggest regional media awards.

The paper’s Anthony Chappel-Ross was Photographer of the Year with a portfolio that included a moving picture of a son being hugged by his soldier dad, while its Yorkshire Living magazine beat off tough competition to be named Specialist Publication of the Year at the O2 awards.

The Yorkshire Living team were delighted to see the title trump the opposition at the awards in a glittering ceremony at the Royal Amouries in Leeds. The runners-up were the Yorkshire Post Magazine, the Hull Daily Mail’s Tell the World, and York-based One & Other.

Editor Francine Clee said: “We are all absolutely thrilled at the result which is a tribute to the efforts of our very dedicated team in York, Bradford and Darlington – who really deserve the recognition.

“It is a great reward for all their hard work – and it was a really good night.”

Launched in 2007, Yorkshire Living consists of three magazines, each with a distribution of 15,000.

Adding poignancy to the occasion, Mr Chappel-Ross wore green, in honour of veteran former Press photographer Paul Baker. Green was the favourite colour of Mr Baker, who worked on The Press for 25 years. He lost his battle with cancer at the age of 53 earlier this year.

Mr Chappel-Ross, 31, of Wilberfoss, said: “He was my best mate as well as a colleague and it just seemed fitting. I was surprised and delighted to win.”

The judges were impressed by his photo of Lt Col Colin Vaudin hugging his son Nicholas, 12, during a joyful reunion after the father’s return from Afghanistan.

Martin Oates, Picture Editor at The Press, said: “It continues the high standard set by this department. It also shows the importance of quality, professional photographs in local newspapers.”

This year’s awards attracted nearly 300 entries and an audience of 150 media professionals, and was hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Louise Minchin.