Entries are being sought from local and regional newspapers for this year's Reporting Asylum: The London Press Awards scheme.

The contest aims to recognise good practice in coverage of refugee and asylum seeker issues, and has been launched by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

The scheme is also open to faith and black, Asian and minority ethnic press.

The annual awards follows two independent reports commissioned by the Mayor to gain a better understanding of the nature of reporting in London's newspapers on issues concerning asylum and refugees, and the potential influence news reporting has on readers.

Both reports found that the sample of London's press presented stories on asylum seekers in a balanced, accurate, wide-ranging way, which is likely to promote an informed debate about the people and issues involved.

Ken Livingstone said: "It is essential that the reality of the positive contribution of migrants to London is reflected in our media. These awards aim to recognise those local newspapers, which are acting in a more responsible way."

Nominations can be made in four categories, for best news coverage, best background and comment material, best use of visual and creative material and best news/comment/visual coverage in a faith, black, Asian, minority ethnic or refugee newspaper.

Awards will be presented to the winning publications by the Mayor and Shami Chakrabarti, of human rights organisation Liberty, at a ceremony in City Hall, on December 5.

The deadline for entries is October 31, and more information and an entry form can be found here.