Entries are now open for this year’s Regional Press Awards – the biggest annual celebration of UK regional journalism talent.

For the second year running, the awards are being run by the Society of Editors with backing from a range of industry bodies and private sponsors.

UK Power Networks has become the main sponsor of the awards which are also supported by HoldtheFrontPage, the Press Association, the Newspaper Society, Foot Anstey and Asda.

Candidates can enter online at a dedicated website www.theregionalpressawards.org.uk which has full details of categories and guidance on how to register.

Entries will close on 7 March and judging will take place during March and April with shortlists will published on 17 April.

Paul Horrocks, SoE president in 2007 and former editor of the Manchester Evening News, has taken over from Peter Sands as chairman of the judges for the awards.

Winners will be announced at an Oscars-style lunchtime awards ceremony to be held at the Savoy Place, London on 25 May.

The entry fee is £25 and any surplus from the event will go to help the Journalists’ Charity.

Society of Editors executive director Bob Satchwell said: “We are again pleased to help celebrate the brilliant journalism in local and regional newspaper which provides a terrific service to communities across the UK against a difficult economic background and continued pressure of dramatic change in the wider media industry.”

HoldTheFrontPage publisher Paul Linford added: “Highlighting excellence in UK regional journalism is one of the things we try to do as a site on a daily basis so we are proud to continue to be associated with this great event.”