THE News’s coverage of the ‘Alara’s Little Legs’ campaign has won a top prize at the Scottish Press Awards.

Our support for the bid to raise enough cash for Alara Kavak to get the life-changing surgery she needs to help her walk was recognised with the ‘Local Campaign of the Year’ accolade at the awards ceremony on Wednesday night.

Reporter Adam Lyon stepped up to accept the prize at the event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.

The Wee Paper covered every fundraiser for Alara after first reporting her story last November, and even took part in the 24-hour football-a-thon which took her over the £80,000 needed to have her surgery in the United States.

In the end more than £130,000 was raised after the Largs community rallied round to support Alara, who was born premature and developed cerebral palsy, with concerts, haircuts and raffles held to reach the amount needed for the surgery.

Alara underwent surgery in March, and it’s hoped she could be able to walk independently within three years.

Craig Borland, deputy group editor with Newsquest’s West Scotland weeklies division, which publishes the News, said: “This award is wonderful recognition for the efforts Adam, his colleague Calum Corral, and the News’s former editor Brian Hossack put in to support the Alara’s Little Legs campaign.

“But more than that it’s a tribute to the readers of the News, in Largs and beyond, who responded so amazingly to give their backing to Alara’s family and their fund-raising efforts.

“Now that her surgery is complete, we can’t wait to report on what happens next for Alara and her family."