A Coleraine planning professional has been shortlisted for a national award after winning the Northern Ireland title earlier this year.

Dr Emily Wray, a planning assistant with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, is among the finalists for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Young Planner of the Year Award. The national winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in December.

Dr Wray chairs the RTPI Northern Ireland Young Planners Committee, a role in which she has organised events and supported early-career planners.

The RTPI Northern Ireland judging panel commended Dr Wray for her commitment to professional development and academic excellence, describing her as an excellent ambassador for planning in Northern Ireland.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, congratulated Dr Wray on the achievement and wished her success at the national awards.

Dr Wray said that winning the regional award was an honour and that being included on the national finalist list was amazing.