THE Telegraph's Blackburn Rovers man has been voted Newsquest's Sports Writer of the Year.

Andy beat off competition from scores of other sports reporters to land one of the most presigious awards in British regional journalism.

The judges praised the high standard of his work and said that unlike many sports journalists his writing was almost cliche free. He was also praised for the humour he often brings to his prose.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph Editor Kevin Young said: "Andy's award is richly deserved. Week in, week out, he has his finger on the pulse of Blackburn Rovers and his work hit a new high last season with his outstanding series on the life of Graeme Souness. It's a great achievement for Andy."

Newsquest owns scores of titles across the UK including the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.