THE Salisbury Journal had cause to celebrate for one of its own last week, as motoring journalist Melissa Terry was awarded the Mitsubishi Motors' Regional Motoring Journalist of the Year award by the Guild of Motoring Writers.

Melissa, who is originally from Durrington, has been with the Journal for the last 16 years, as a designer and sub-editor, but it is only in the last five years she has combined these duties with being the Journal's head motoring correspondent.

She said: "I originally joined the Journal's production team after completing a design course at college, and design has always been something I have loved doing.

"But I have also always been passionate about cars and, when the previous motoring editor left five years ago, I volunteered to take over. I'm glad I did because I have enjoyed every minute of it."

And this enjoyment of her job is what Melissa credits as the key to her recent success.

She added: "I have motoring in my genes - my dad was a karting champion and his brother, my uncle, rode motorbikes - and growing up I could not help but absorb a love of motoring.

"It is because I love cars so much it is easy for me to write about them, and it seems strange to receive national recognition for something I love doing." And, to add further kudos, Melissa was the only female award winner at a prestigious ceremony, held at the RAC Club in London's Pall Mall.

She insisted: "Motor journalism is, undoubtedly, a man's world so to win this award is a way of proving women can do the job just as well.

"Although I'm a woman, I write for everyone who enjoys motoring, regardless of gender, and I try to concentrate on the important details, whether I'm writing about cars, events or people.

"It is difficult because I am sure most of my readers are male, so I need the articles to be of a standard they will enjoy.

"But, at the same time, I want to open motoring up to women as well."

Gabi Whitfield, of Mitsubishi Motors UK, which sponsors the award, said: "Melissa was chosen as Mitsubishi Motors' Regional Motoring Journalist of the Year from a host of entries received from journalists across the UK.

"This is a prestigious award which carries with it a substantial cash prize, so the quality of entrants was, as expected, extremely high.

"Melissa stood out for her boundless enthusiasm for journalism and passion for motoring and also for her professionalism in terms of the range and quality of articles she produces."