Entry forms are now available online for the prestigious Sports Journalism Awards, the only competition of its type in the UK.

The awards recognise excellence in sports writing, photography, broadcasting and cartoons, and are run by the Sports Journalists' Association.

Supported by UK Sport, the competitions are open to all British-based, professional sports photographers and journalists, including staff or freelance contributors to UK national newspapers, the regional press, websites, specialist sporting magazines and other publications. There is also a category for the best sports cartoonist of the year.

The outstanding photographer of 2006 will receive the Ed Lacy trophy as the SJA Sports Photographer of the Year (won in 2005 by Mike Hewitt, of Getty Images), while the John Bromley British Sports Writer of the Year Award (2005 winner: Martin Samuel, of the News of the World and The Times) will be selected by the sports editors of the national newspapers.

The closing date for entries in all categories is January 5, with the winners due to be announced at a gala celebration of the best of British sports journalism at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, on March 12.

Full entry details and downloadable entry forms are available from www.sportsjournalists.co.uk