Journalists who have written news stories or features on health or medical subjects are being invited to enter an awards contest with an overall prize pot of £7,000.

The Guild of Health Writers writing award is open to all freelance and staff writers, with the winners of the two main categories, Best Consumer Health Writer and Best Trade/Specialist writer, each receiving £1,500.

Runners-up will receive £500.

Three further categories, for Best Contributor to Online Health, Best Young Writer and Best Freelance Writer, each have a prize of £1,000.

Entrants can submit up to three different pieces of work for each category.

Judges will be looking for accuracy, good writing skills, journalistic ability, and articles that explain a subject well.

Winners will be announced at The Foreign Press Association in London on October 11.

The closing date for entries is June 30.

Download an entry form at www.healthwriters.com.