Two young journalists, who completed their professional training at Bournemouth University, have won top national awards.

Dolly Carter and Daniel Wood were recognised in the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Excellence Awards at a cermony in London.

Dolly was named Trainee Journalist of the Year in recognition of her stories about gas and air suspension in maternity wards and a dog which “returned from the dead’. Daniel won the award for Student Journalist of the Year for his portfolio which included an exclusive story about sexual harassment.

Both had tuition from the university whilst employed by Newsquest.

Daniel receiving his award, standing in a line with the two men hosting the ceremonyDaniel Wood (left receiving his award)

Hamish Marshall, Programme Leader for NCTJ Professional Courses at Bournemouth University, said: “We are thrilled for Dolly and Dan. These awards are fully deserved. They were model students who had the drive and enthusiasm to succeed. They could both spot a good story and knew how to bring it to life.”

Both secured Gold Standard NCTJ Diploma over an 18-month period working with a range of teaching from staff from the Department of Communication and Journalism.

They studied law, essential journalism, shorthand, digital and video Journalism remotely and came on campus for two five-day “boot camps” where focused teaching prepared them for their exams.

Daniel passed additional modules in court reporting and editing skills and works for the Swindon Advertiser.

Dolly receiving her award at the ceremony, standing in a line with the two men who are hostingDolly Carter receiving her award

Dolly worked for the East Anglian Daily Times and has recently started a new job with BBC Investigations based in Norwich. She continued her studies after that move.

She passed the final exams to secure her diploma in January, three months before the scheduled end of her course.

Dolly and Daniel were among 17 winners from 699 entries for annual awards.

The NCTJ is the media industry’s professional body and awarding organisation.

The ceremony at The Royal College of Physicians was hosted by John Pienaar of Times Radio.