Argus reporter Gareth Davies has been announced as the country’s young journalist of the year.

The reporter was named the top young journalist in the country at the Regional Press Awards being held today.

Davies, who first started working at the paper in 2012, beat off talented entries from across the country including the The Irish News, Derby Telegraph, Media Wales and the Harrogate Advertiser.

Judges were impressed with his portfolio of articles which included an expose of Sussex Police using unqualified officers to investigate serious crimes due to a critical shortage of police officers.

His nominated stories also included claims a Sussex man was the first suicide bomber in Syria and the death of Jaffar Deghayes, the second Deghayes brother to be killed fighting in war-torn Syria.

Davies picked up his award at a ceremony in London today.

He follows the success of colleague Ben Leo who won the award last year.