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Shortlist announced for NCTJ excellence awards

The shortlist has been announced for an annual awards which aims to recognise the best student and trainee journalists.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has revealed the nominations for the Awards for Excellence, which are open to students on NCTJ-accredited courses and trainees with less than two years in journalism.

Nottingham Trent University and the University of Sheffield both feature strongly in the shortlist, with their students gaining a number of places.

More than 150 entries for the awards were received and the winners are set to be announced at the Journalism Skills Conference in Bournemouth on 27 November.

Judges for the awards included Ian Carter, editorial director of the Kent Messenger Group, Brian Flynn, investigations editor at The Sun, Andrew Parkes, group managing editor at Newsquest South London and Steve Phillips, group picture editor at the South Wales Evening Post.

The full shortlist is:

Student news journalism
Nathan Briant, University of Sheffield
Shauna Corr, Belfast Metropolitan College
Eleanor Ross, News Associates London

Trainee news journalism
James Caldwell, Hull Daily Mail
Matthew Cannon, Brentwood Gazette
Claire Jones, Plymouth Herald

Student top scoop/exclusive
Hannah Bryan, University of Sheffield
Samantha Fisher, Nottingham Trent University
Sophie Mei Lan Slack, University of Salford

Trainee top scoop/exclusive
Anna Dubuis, Barking and Dagenham Post
Megan Tatum, Essex Chronicle
Lauren Witherspoon, Dundee Evening Telegraph

Student features of the year
Gemma Bradish, Nottingham Trent University
Rachel Gorman, Nottingham Trent University
Lauren Peel, University of Sheffield
Jane Renton, Nottingham Trent University

Trainee features of the year
Phoebe Jackson-Edwards, Hull Daily Mail
Joanna Morris, Northern Echo
Jamie Rose, Dover Express

Student images of the year
Tom Maddick, Sheffield College
David Mirzoeff, Sheffield College

Trainee image of the year
Harry Atkinson, North West Evening Mail
Elinor Hoskins, Archant London

Best student publication
University of Central Lancashire, Preston Journal
University of Sunderland, Side Street
University of Central Lancashire, The Baking Sheet

Student/trainee sports journalism
There were 20 entries and there was one winner for each category who will be announced at the conference.