Wirral Globe news chief 'Editor of the Year' (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral Globe news chief 'Editor of the Year'

4:06pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News

The editor of the Wirral Globe has been named Newsquest Editor of the Year.

The award cements a strong year for the Wirral Globe and its editor Leigh Marles, which has seen his paper scoop a north west online award and be nominated for two other prestigious nationwide titles including the Oscars of British journalism - a British Press Award.

Newsquest is the Globe's parent company and publishes more than 200 newspapers, magazines and trade publications including 17 paid-for dailies.

“Leigh was one of only two regional press journalists to make the shortlist for the Investigation of the Year prize,” said group editor Nic Priest.

“He went head-to-head with national newspaper opposition for December's British Journalism Awards, organised by Press Gazette, which celebrate excellence across the national, regional and broadcast media.”

Marles earned his nomination for orchestrating his newspaper's coverage of a council scandal which came to light when a whistleblower revealed money had been wrongly taken from vulnerable adults in the care of social services.

Ms Priest continued: “It is extraordinary for a free title to be nominated for such a prestigious national award that recognises the work the vast majority of journalists do in calling to account those in power.”

The Wirral Globe has won many plaudits for its campaigns and its fast-growing website.

In May, the Globe's 'Whistleblower' campaign was shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the Society of Editors' Regional Press Awards - the only free newspaper to be nominated.

In April, the Wirral Globe beat the Manchester Evening News and a host of other north west publications to be named North West Media Website of the Year.

The Globe is very active in social media. It has 4,500-plus Facebook friends and more than 5,000 Twitter followers.

The paper faces major competition in the area – the Liverpool Echo, the Liverpool Post and Wirral News – so Marles prides himself on breaking what they know as soon as possible.

The growth in online readers led to the newspaper being featured in the “Masterclass” section of Press Gazette last year.

Marles said: “It’s been a remarkable year for the Globe and winning the Newsquest title has been the icing on the cake.”