The number of press cards issued by the Newspaper Society to journalists in the regional press went up last year to 1,452, compared with 1,325 for 2002.

The Society is part of the UK Press Card Scheme, a voluntary scheme for issuing press/media credentials to professional newsgatherers in the UK.

The scheme was launched by the Metropolitan Police in 1992, with the co-operation of all the major industry bodies.

It aims to end the proliferation of press cards and win agreement on a universally-recognised card. The Society card is formally recognised by all police forces in the UK, and by many other public bodies.

All news gatherers should be in possession of a current press card as they may be required to produce it at any time.

Press cards are also required in order to gain access to Royal Rota events.

To be eligible for a Newspaper Society press card, journalists must be working "professionally as a media worker who needs to identify himself or herself in public".

The Society issues press cards to newsgatherers - whether staff, freelance or online - working for regional and local newspapers, which are valid for a two-year period and are discounted for NS members.

The fee for a press card is £7 for companies in full membership of the Newspaper Society and £13 for non-members.

For further details contact Lisa McCarthy at the Newspaper Society on 020 7636 7014.

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