Entries were being registered on the awards website at the rate of one a minute during the final 36 hours before the deadline on March 8. They are now being checked ready for the first stage of judging to start this week.
The awards celebrate the best of British regional newspaper journalism during 2010. Shortlists will be published in early April. Newspaper consultant and designer Peter Sands (pictured) is chairing the judges.
They are organised on behalf of the industry by the Society of Editors with the support of the Newspaper Society. HoldtheFrontPage and the Press Association are also supporting the awards.
Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors said: “We are delighted by the huge response that doubled in the last 36 hours. The new on-line entry system organised by our website team at Magstar held up magnificently as the expected last minute rush developed - journalists will be journalists!
Newspaper Society members undertook to participate in and support the awards and to avoid taking part in any competing UK-wide events.
A lunchtime awards ceremony will be held in London on 11 May, to coincide with the Newspaper Society AGM and Local Newspaper Week 2011 (9th-15th May).
Georgina Harvey, president of the NS and managing director of Trinity Mirror Regionals, said: “It's more important today than ever to celebrate the unique strengths of our industry. The regional and local press has a long and proud history of journalistic excellence and photographic prowess and I’m delighted we’ll have the chance to pay tribute to our best journalists and photographers with these new awards.”
Bob Satchwell is overseeing the awards in consultation with Lynne Anderson, communications director of the NS. The scheme will be reviewed after the first year.
Revenue is generated by entry fees, table sales and sponsorship. It is intended that any surplus will go to the Journalists’ Charity.
For details go to www.regionalpressawards.org.uk
