Aberdeen City Council has been named Local Authority of the Year in The MJ's first virtual local government awards.

Winners of 18 categories were announced this afternoon to an audience of almost 900 viewers.

Judges said: ‘The council has an impressive story to tell in terms of its changing economic context and the bold steps it is taking to deliver an unprecedented transformation of the city through a pioneering capital programme and significant investments in the social and cultural future of its communities.'

Aberdeen was one of 18 local authorities to be named as winners in The MJ's virtual awards, chosen by judges out of more than 100 finalists.

A new category was Chief Executive of the Year, whose winner was Chris Naylor, chief executive of Barking & Dagenham LBC and currently interim chief at Birmingham City Council.

Corporate director of the year was Anna Earnshaw, who since the finalists were announced in July has become chief executive of the new unitary West Northamptonshire Council.

The awards were jointly hosted by editor of The MJ, Heather Jameson, and editorial director Michael Burton.

Ms Jameson told the audience at the virtual ceremony: ‘We're really proud of local government's response to the COVID-19 crisis in the past few months.

'You have done an exceptional job in exceptional circumstances.

'We, and the public, would like to say a huge thank you to you all.'

The awards, which normally holds its gala night in June, were delayed due to the pandemic.

Next year's awards will be launched in November and will focus on councils' response to the pandemic, including a new category targeted at 'COVID heroes'.

Full details of the winners can be viewed at awards.themj.co.uk