A Hexham born TV presenter has been given special recognition in a National awards ceremony.

TV presenter and actor Robson Green has picked up a special Outstanding Contribution to North East Tourism at last night's (Thursday, March 23) North East England Tourism Awards.

The special award was introduced this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the North East awards to honour an individual, organisation or business who has made a fundamental contribution to the success of the region's tourism industry.

Robson received the award in praise of his efforts to champion the region through his programmes, including his most recent, Weekend Escapes, which showcase the North East's tourism offer nationally and internationally.

Picking up the award he said: "It's an absolute privilege and honour to receive this award and I feel incredibly humbled and to be honest incredibly surprised.

"It really is a recognition of the talent I've been fortunate enough to have worked alongside, the majority of whom are from the North East of England. All I've done during my career is help to tell stories some of which showcase an area I'm really proud to call home and the fact that this has been recognised with this award gives me the inertia to do more!".