A powerful campaign to urge a rethink of controversial plans to overhaul parts of the NHS in Cumbria has won a top award.

As part of Local Newspaper Week 2017, which celebrates the vital role that titles such as ours play in the communities we serve, the Save Our Services campaign has won the Making A Difference Award.

The campaign led by the Times & Star, The Whitehaven News, the News & Star and The Cumberland News was one of 28 successful campaigns nationally shortlisted for the accolade.

The winner was decided by public vote.

In a double whammy, The Cumberland News won Weekly Newspaper of the Year for 2017.

Save Our Services was launched to urge a rethink of controversial plans to overhaul parts of the NHS in north, west and east Cumbria - most controversially radically reforming maternity care at Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital and the closure of community hospital beds in Maryport, Wigton and Alston.

There was a huge response to the campaign, with 10,000 people signing our petition backing the calls.

Proposals for maternity reforms are being referred to the Secretary of State for Health.

Carlisle United reporter Jon Colman won Weekly Sports Reporter of the Year.