THE Addingham-born journalist who told the world exclusive story of Royal butler Paul Burrell has won a prestigious national newspaper award.

Mirror journalist Steve Dennis, who learnt his craft with the Ilkley Gazette, has been named Reporter of the Year in the 2002 What the Papers Say awards.

Beating off competition from writers across the country, Mr Dennis picked up his prize at London's Caf Royal on Friday, December 20.

The following day the 31-year-old had his face plastered all over the front of the newspapers as the Mirror, and others, toasted his success - and later the same day he was shown accepting the award on television.

Speaking before the winners were announced he had told the Ilkley Gazette that it was a privilege just to be nominated, and that to win would be the "icing on the cake" of what had been an amazing year.

Judges at the awards ceremony, praising Mr Dennis's achievement, said: "It's the interview everybody wanted, but the scoop went to the Mirror because he had cultivated contacts with the family."

Afterwards, the former Ilkley Grammar School pupil told the Gazette: "This year just keeps getting better and better and Friday was one heck of a day!

"I was sitting at a table with a couple of editors and Janet Street-Porter and when they were about to announce the Reporter of the Year this television camera panned around and focused on me, and I thought 'oh God, I think it's me.'

"The best bit was to be sat there among all these movers and shakers of the media world and to receive recognition in front of them all.

"My adrenaline was racing after I realised I'd won, and going up to accept the award and talking in front of all those people made giving a Best Man's speech look like a walk in the park.

"When I was first told I had the story of Paul Burrell nothing will beat that euphoria, of knowing I had been given the chance to tell everybody the truth and to put right the lies. It was just one of those honours."

Mr Dennis befriended Paul Burrell, the former butler of Princess Diana who was recently acquitted of charges of stealing some of her belongings after her death, in 1997.

After the Queen's dramatic intervention led to the collapse of the Old Bailey trial their relationship proved crucial in Mr Burrell's decision to reject more lucrative offers and sell his story, exclusively, to the Mirror.

In the weeks that followed, spent at a secret location where he interviewed Mr Burrell, Mr Dennis produced stories containing revelations about life inside Buckingham Palace on a daily basis.

Mr Dennis said that after a hectic year he is hoping for a peaceful holiday season with his family.