Shaw Wins Best Drama Award

The BBC period drama Inspector George Gently has been named Best Drama at the Royal Television Society North East and the Border annual awards.

Martin Shaw, who plays the title role in the police series set in the 1960s – picked up the award at a ceremony in Tyneside on Saturday.

The show is shot on location in the North East by Company Pictures. It beat off competition from other North East dramas including ITV’s Vera and the CBBC mini-series Harriet’s Army.

More than 400 industry professionals and guests attended the event at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton, hosted by Steph McGovern of BBC Breakfast.

Awards chair Graeme Thompson said the event was an impressive showcase for the work of creative industries talent in the region.

He said: "We are part of the fastest growing sector in the British economy. The creative industries are growing three times faster than any other category. And this event recognizes the increasingly important role played by television and digital media in this part of the UK."

(CD)