A TALENTED Kendal motor sport writer has been hailed as one of the best in the business after receiving a prestigious journalism award.

Gemma Briggs, 24, was voted the best young motor sport journalist of 2004 at the Renault/Motor Sports Association Night of Champions.

Having graduated from London's City University with a first, Ms Briggs moved into motor journalism and has worked as deputy editor on technical publication Racecar Engineering for two years.

She has recently taken up a similar position with Racing Line, the McLaren Formula One team's magazine.

Racing legend John Surtees MBE the only person in history to win the world championship in both motor cycling and Formula One - was on hand to present the award and a cheque for £1,000 to Ms Briggs.