The annual Picture Editors’ Awards, saved at the last minute last year after struggling for sponsorship, are on hold this year too.

The organisers say it has not been possible to assemble the necessary financial and organisational support for the awards to continue.

The Picture Editors’ Awards have for the past 15 years recognised excellence in photographic journalism.

Awards organiser Glyn Genin said: “We would like to acknowledge with thanks all the picture editors, photographers, sponsors and other supporters who have contributed so much to the success of the Awards in previous years.

“Our website http://www.pictureawards.net will continue, at least for the time being, to provide an online showcase for photographic journalism.”

In January last year the organisers said the event would not take place because of a lack of funding and they were unsure if it would return at all, prompting outcry from many working in the industry.

But new sponsors were found, and the final – originally scheduled for March 26 – went ahead on June 20 after a May announcement.

Organisers said it had been made possible thanks to the continuing support of legacy sponsors the City of London, Fujifilm, and Getty Images, along with new sponsors Action Images, Olympus, picturehouse and B+W, Lowepro and Manfrotto.