A new awards scheme for newspapers and broadcasters in Kent is to be launched on Monday.

The Kent Press & Broadcast Awards is being organised by PR and marketing agency Maxim to celebrate the county’s media.

A total of twelve categories will be up for grabs at the inaugural ceremony, which will be held on 3 July next year.

The awards will be judged by an independent panel of experts including national journalist Susie Boniface (also known as Fleet Street Fox), Haymarket’s Patrick Fuller, journalist and lecturer Dr Sarah Lonsdale and award-winning TV producer Martyn Gregory.

Andrew Metcalf, director at Maxim, said: “There is a myth that the local and regional press is dying but actually it is constantly evolving.

“While the tabloids often get a bad press, regional journalism provides a vital service to the public and needs our support.”

Entries will be open from 10am on Monday 15 December. For more information visit www.kpbawards.co.uk.