Staff from regional newspapers across the North West will face local rivals next month at the 2005 North West Newspaper Awards.

Sponsored by British Nuclear Group and organised by the North West region of the Society of Editors, the competition received more than 125 entries, and the shortlist has now been revealed.

Staff from newspapers including the Lancashire Evening Post, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo will compete in categories for the best news reporter, photographer, feature writer, young journalist and sports reporter as well as daily and weekly newspaper of the year.

Winners will be announced at the JJB Stadium in Wigan on Friday, July 1, with individual winners each receiving £700 and runners-up collecting £150.

The full shortlist is below: