Cash and cases of beer are among the prizes up for grabs at the 2005 Essex Journalist of the Year Awards.

Entries are now being invited for the competition, which is sponsored by independent brewer Shepherd Neame, and aims to encourage journalistic excellence throughout the county.

The contest is open to all journalists working for, or retained by, publishing or broadcasting businesses based in Essex, and categories include journalist of the year; campaign of the year; broadcast journalist of the year; young journalist of the year and sports journalist of the year.

For the first time ‘wild card’ entries are also being invited, and discretionary awards may be given for entries who do not fulfil the main category criteria but are still deemed worthy.

Making up this year’s judging panel are former East Anglian Daily Times journalist Anthony Clavane, who is now chief sports writer at the Sunday Mirror; Daily Mail writer Richard Kay, who began his career on the Essex County Standard; and Bill Rogers, managing editor BBC Radio News.

The closing date for entries is Friday, April 15, and winners will be announced at a presentation lunch on May 27.

Each of the main category winners will receive an engraved trophy and a case of Shepherd Neame beer. The journalist of the year and broadcast journalist of the year will also get £250 each, the sports journalist and campaign of the year winner will receive £150 and the young journalist will collect £100.

The Essex awards are now in their fourth year in the county and the company has organised a similar awards scheme in Kent for the past 17 years.

For entry forms, call Zoe Springett on 01622 674177 or e-mail [email protected]