FLEET News editor Ashley Martin won the Renault-sponsored UK Journalist of the Year Award at the 1997 Guild of Motoring Writers annual dinner and awards. Held at London's RAC Club, Martin, who has been editor of Fleet News for three years and on the editorial staff since June 1991, won the award 'for the most outstanding journalistic effort during the year'.

A total of 14 awards were presented at the function attended by about 250 motoring journalists and press and public relations executives from motor manufacturers and motor industry suppliers. Martin was presented with the Pierre Dreyfus Award, which is awarded annually by Renault UK in honour of Pierre Dreyfus, the president director general of Renault from 1955-75, by Tim Mack, Renault's director of communications.