NEWS Group tasted success at the prestigious Midlands Media Awards last night.

Halesowen News reporter Adam Smith won Scoop of the Year and the Stourbridge News was Highly Commended in the Campaign of the Year award.

The annual awards, which is run by Birmingham Press Club, the oldest of its kind in the world, recognise excellence in the field of journalism.

Mr Smith, who previously won the Weekly Journalist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, won Scoop of the Year for his long running investigation into corruption and bullying at Sandwell Council and the sbusequent battle to get the Wragge Report and Gowling Reports into the public domain.

He said: "I am happier than a cat let loose in a cream factory to win Scoop of the Year award.

"Journalism should always be about keeping the powerful to account and shining an unwanted light in dark places. 

"In this ever changing world of journalism, with its reliance on social media and technology, it is great an old school operator like myself who still believes the best way to get scoops is talking face to face with contacts in a pub has won an award like this, it is a victory for gnarled hacks everywhere."

The 40-year-old added: "I'd like to dedicate the award to Sarah Cousin who has just left the paper, we were a great team it is no coincidence my three award winning years were when we worked together.

"The Scoop of the Year award is about the story, and therefore though my name is on the award it was a team effort.

"I am fortunate to have a news desk and editor who have helped me with this story, and were brave enough to print these important stories, I'd also like to thank Newsquest's lawyer too."

Mr Smith added: "Also, this story would have never seen the light of day if it were not for the bravery of Sandwell Council employees, and councillors who risked their jobs and a lot more by giving me information which they rightly believed should be seen by the taxpayers of Sandwell."

"The story is still not over yet and now other news outlets have started to report on the scandal, when at one stage it was just myself and the blogger Sandwell Skidder, means that the people of Sandwell should get the truth."

He added: "I would also like to thank Dobell Menswear (www.dobell.co.uk) who came to my rescue during a real tuxedo emergency, they sent me a fantastic set of clothing within 24 hours."

The judges, which included luminaries of the Midlands media community, said: "Overall Adam demonstrated a fine piece of investigative journalism."

Stourbridge News' Well of Life campaign, which raised money to bring water to an African village, was Highly Commended in the Campaign of the Year award at the ceremony, held at The Birmingham Rep.

They said: "The judges liked the way this campaign was able to bring people together to raise money for a great cause.

"This campaign was very well presented and managed to raise an impressive £12,000."

Both Adam Smith and Stourbridge and Dudley News chief reporter Bev Holder were also nominated for Weekly Journalist of the Year.