The journalists and newspapers in line for honours at next month’s O2 North West Media Awards have been announced.

Liverpool’s Echo and Daily Post has the most nominations for the second year in a row, having been nominated in 11 of the 16 award categories.

Last year’s daily newspaper of the year, the Echo is again through to the final shortlist where it will face competition from the Bolton News, the Lancashire Telegraph and the Lancashire Evening Post.

The Manchester Evening News team and writers from the Cumberland News and News and Star are both up for five titles.

In the fight for Weekly Newspaper of the Year the Cumberland News is defending the title it won last year against the Warrington Guardian, Chester Chronicle, Crosby Herald and Rossendale Free Press.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 3 November at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Glenn Manoff, Director of Communications, Reputation and Sustainability for O2, said the awards – now in their fourth year – were going from strength to strength.

Said Glenn: “Once again the contest has attracted a record number of entries and has been supported by publishers and broadcasters large and small across the North West. The regional press performs a wonderful role in our communities and we are delighted to recognise the contribution journalists make.”

The judging panel was made up of working editors and senior news executives including Peter Charlton of the Yorkshire Post and Paul Napier of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

As well as the 15 individual awards, O2 will also honour a media professional who has warranted the praise and admiration of colleagues through an Outstanding Contribution Award.

The nominees are:

Young Journalist of the Year (Weekly Newspapers)

Ellie Cullen, Crewe Chronicle
Natalie Banks, Chorley and Leyland Guardian
Tom Bristow ,Southport Visiter
Matthew Hobbs, Warrington Guardian

Young Journalist of the Year (Daily Newspapers)

Will Metcalfe, North West Evening Mail
David Pickthall, North West Evening Mail
Katie Robinson, North West Evening Mail
Miranda Newey, Bolton News

Scoop of the Year
 
Southport Champion
Lancashire Evening Post
Liverpool Echo

Radio Broadcast Journalist of the Year

Jimmy McCracken, BBC Radio Merseyside
Janine Bolton , Rock FM
Michelle Ponting, Key 103

Digital Journalist of the Year

Liverpool  Echo , Jo Kelly
Granada Reports, Adam McClean
Liverpool Echo, Dan Kay
Manchester Evening News, Peter Bainbridge

TV Broadcast Journalist of the Year

Matt O’Donoghue, Granada Reports
Andy Gill, BBC North West Tonight
Jacey Normand, BBC Inside Out

Business Reporter of the Year

Alistair Houghton, Daily Post and Echo
Peter Elson, Daily Post and Echo
Shelina Begum, Manchester Evening News
Adam Jupp, Manchester Evening News

Feature Writer of the Year

Alistair Houghton, Daily Post and Echo
Paddy Shennan, Liverpool Echo
Roger Lytollis, Cumberland News
Sarah Newstead, Cumberland News

Photographer of the Year

Colin Lane, Daily Post and Echo
Paul Heyes, Manchester Evening News
Sean Hansford, Manchester Evening News/Rochdale Observer
Vincent Cole, Manchester Evening News/Rochdale Observer

Sports Reporter of the Year

Chris Hall, Granada Reports
Jon Colman, Cumberland News
Kelly O’Donnell, Tower FM/Wish FM
Amanda Little, Cumberland News

News Reporter of the Year

Liza Williams, Daily Post and Echo
Ben Rossington, Liverpool Echo
Neal Keeling, Manchester Evening News
Vanessa Cornall, Lancashire Telegraph

Editorial Team of the Year

Saddleworth Independent
Evening Leader (Chester/Wrexham)
Key 103
Granada Reports

Weekly Newspaper of the Year

Warrington Guardian
Chester Chronicle
Cumberland News
Crosby Herald
Rossendale Free Press

Daily Newspaper of the Year

Lancashire Evening Post
Bolton News
Liverpool Echo
Lancashire Telegraph