A national journalist will return to the county where he studied to present its annual media awards.

BBC presenter Gavin Esler, left, will host this year’s Kent Press & Broadcast Awards ceremony, which will be held in July.

There are 14 categories covering print, broadcast, digital, social media and design.

Gavin Esler graduated from the University of Kent in 1974, where he is currently Chancellor, before working at the Belfast Telegraph as a junior reporter. He later joined the BBC, where he presented Newsnight for 11 years.

Said Gavin: “I have strong links with Kent and Canterbury in particular so I’m very pleased to be presenting the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards there.

“Local journalism still has a vital role to play in society so it’s important to recognise those working hard in the industry, often behind the scenes.”

The awards are organised by Tunbridge Wells-based PR and marketing agency Maxim.

Director Philip Jones said: “We are so pleased Gavin agreed to host the awards this year. As a well-respected journalist, writer and reporter who has worked his way up through the ranks, he is the ideal choice to inspire and entertain the local media.

“We couldn’t run this not-for-profit scheme without the support of the Kent organisations that are backing the awards. Without the sponsors, many of which are returning for a third year, the scheme would not exist.”