Caerphilly council's communication team won the best use of internal communications accolade at the Institute of Public Relations awards in Cardiff.

The council team triumphed for a campaign called Unlock the Potential. The initiative is designed to get the best out of the council's workforce: improving service delivery and making better use of resources.

It features staff meetings, briefings and publications aimed at encouraging all employees to sign up.

Council leader Harry Andrews said: "I would like to congratulate the team for its efforts in securing such a prestigious award.

"Improving communications, both internally and externally, is a key priority for any organisation, and our campaign is helping the authority get the best out of its workforce and resources," he said.

Warwick Emanuel PR was named as the Welsh PR team of the year, and the firm's 25-year-old account manager, Lydia Spooner, was named young communicator of the year.

Warwick Emanuel director Elizabeth Warwick said:

"The PR industry in Wales is vibrant and very competitive, and the awards will stimulate the drive for excellence in managing communications for clients."

An award for outstanding achievement was won by Helen Northmore-Thomas, an account director with public affairs agency Grayling Wales.