Journalists from newspapers, television and radio will celebrate next Tuesday as they collect prizes for crystal-clear reporting.

There are six categories in the media section of the annual Plain English Campaign awards.

The Western Daily Press has scooped the award for Best Regional Newspaper.

The judges said: "A morning newspaper such as the Western Daily Press faces stiff competition for readers from the national press.

"Their secret weapon is local news - not just rewriting national stories by slapping in the name of the town or region, but getting out in the real world and investigating the issues that affect their readers.

"The Western Daily Press excels at this, showing that there's a lot of truth to that age-old pun: clarity begins at home."

The winners are chosen for both the clarity of their reporting and the work they do to expose gobbledygook.

The judges choose from a shortlist based on nominations by Campaign supporters.

The Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group formed in 1979 to fight gobbledygook and unclear public information.

It has almost 4,000 registered supporters in more than 70 countries. It funds itself through commercial activities including editing and training.

Broadcaster Fiona Bruce will present the awards on Tuesday December 2 - Plain English Day - at the Brewery Centre in London's Chiswell Street.

It will be the 24th annual Plain English Awards ceremony - and among the other awards are the dreaded Golden Bull booby prizes for gobbledygook.

Other winners include:

Best National Newspaper: Independent;

Best National Radio Programme: Wake up to Money (5 Live);

Best Regional Radio Station: Minster FM;

Best National Television Programme: Channel 4 News (7pm);

Best Regional Television Programme: BBC Look North (Yorkshire edition).

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk