Local actor turned presenter, Robson Green, was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution award at the RTS North East and the Border Awards in late February.

The Northumberland- based star of Soldier Soldier, Wire in the Blood and Grantchester, who accepted the accolade during a visit to Australia, was described as a “tireless champion of TV production celebrating the North East”.

Recently, he has enjoyed success as a presenter of factual shows such as Extreme Fishing. His latest series for BBC Two, Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, was co-produced by his own production company, Rivers Meet Productions, with ITV Signpost.

Green said: “As an actor, I’ve helped tell stories. But, as a presenter of documentaries, I can be me. I’m so proud of the team behind this latest series of Weekend Escapes. It showcases the North East, but also the behind-the-scenes talent.”

More than 400 guests attended the awards at the Hilton in Gateshead, which were hosted by comedian and screenwriter Jason Cook.

RTS Chief Executive Theresa Wise presented the Centre award to the team behind the North East Screen Comedy Hot House, a comedy co-operative that nurtures regional talent, on- and off-screen.

Robson Green honoured The Rising Star award went to former secondary school teacher Anna Costello, who emerged from the BBC Writers Room with scripts for shows that include the Dave comedy drama Dead Canny.

Two long-running dramas were honoured at the ceremony: ITV’s Vera starring Brenda Blethyn (Drama) and CBBC’s The Dumping Ground (Children’s).

A BBC Four documentary hosted by North Shields-born singer Sam Fender, Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story, picked up the Broadcast Factual prize.

In the news categories, ITV Tyne Tees enjoyed a fruitful night, taking home four awards: News Programme; Presenter, for Amy Lea, Sport Presenter, for Simon O’Rourke; and the Outstanding Journalism prize, for Gregg Easteal. Jonathan Swingler of BBC North East carried off the award for Multiskilled Broadcast Journalism.

Awards Chair Graeme Thompson said: “There’s real momentum right now in the region’s screen and production sector.

“We received more than 100 entries for this year’s awards and that reflects the increase in film and TV content being made in this part of the UK. Broadcasters and commissioners are waking up to the unique appeal of the North East and Cumbria as locations to tell universal stories.

“New film and TV studios, such as the ones that have just opened in Hartlepool and are planned for Sunderland, combined with commissioning spend and a new £12m production and skills fund are fuelling significant growth in the sector.”

The work of student film-makers was also celebrated at the ceremony, with awards shared across the region’s colleges: Newcastle University, Northern School of Art, Teesside University, University of Cumbria and University of Sunderland.