NINE national awards have been picked up by advertising staff from the company which publishes the D&S Times.

Staff from Newsquest North-East were presented with the honours at the Newsquest Sales Awards ceremony, held recently in Birmingham.

The North-East team collected more awards at the ceremony than any other group.

Honours received were: telephone salesperson of the year - Julie Watson; best Christmas campaign - A Christmas Wish; best regular property section (free) - Property Advertiser; best regular business section - Business Echo; best entertainment and leisure supplement - The Entertainer; best niche publication with a core product - Northern Leisure Guide; best customer care initiative; Newsquest studio of the year; best in-house leaflet campaign.

Newsquest North-East commercial director Ian Clarke said: "The department's performance exceeded all expectations and is a credit to the company."