THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph came runner-up as Newspaper of the Year and scooped two titles in one of the country's most prestigious press awards.

We finished second only to Scotland's national morning paper The Herald and shared the runner-up spot with the Evening Times, Glasgow.

In the 2005 Newsquest Editorial and Newspaper Sales Awards the Telegraph also won Scoop of the Year for a five-day investigation into the death of Blackburn woman Evelyn Lund in France.

And writer Suzanne Geldard was named Sports Reporter of the Year at a glittering ceremony in Weybridge, Surrey.

Newsquest is the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's parent company and publishes more than 300 titles across Britain including 17 daily newspapers.

The Evelyn Lund series included exclusive interviews with husband Robert who admitted he was prime suspect in a murder inquiry and is now in custody awaiting trial in connection with her death.

Judges described the series as "a great story in itself borne out with dogged determination, persistence and a second language by reporter Clare Cook who knew her readers wanted answers, spotted her opportunity and got her story -- enough to fill five pages spread across five days.

"No wonder it was followed up by radio, TV and other media."

They also praised Picture Editor Neil Johnson who travelled to rural France

with Clare to interview Robert Lund.

Suzanne's success came a year after she was runner-up to Telegraph sports colleague Andy Neild for a portfolio which included in-depth interviews with Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley, ice hockey twins David and Andy Sheffield, Burnley Lowerhouse cricket club chairman Matt Hope and Rovers legend Colin Hendry.

She was described as "not afraid to tackle sports and subjects outside the mainstream -- an attitude which uncovered a series of fascinating stories about local sporting characters who rarely get to tell their tales."

"Yet this writer is equally at home interviewing a major footballing figure such as Colin Hendry with a concise style of writing which allows the reader to concentrate on the most important thing -- the subject of the article," the judges added.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, which last year won three of a possible seven awards, was also highly commended in the Daily Newspaper of the Year category which was won by The Herald, Glasgow.

Kevin Young, editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, said: "Winning these awards is a great reward for all the hard work put in by the editorial staff at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. They are both great achievements."