Last year saw a surge in the number of press cards allocated to regional and local newspaper journalists by the Newspaper Society.

The Society issued 3,546 press cards in 2004, up from 1,452 in 2003 and 1,325 for 2002.

To apply for a card, a journalist should be working "professionally as a media worker who needs to identify himself or herself in public."

The scheme was launched by the Metropolitan Police in 1992, with the co-operation of all the major industry bodies and the aims of ending the proliferation of press cards and agreement on a universally-recognised card, bearing the word PRESS.

The card is formally recognised by all police forces in the UK, and de facto by other public bodies.

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 £7.50 for companies in full membership of the Newspaper Society and £13.50 for non-members.

For further details, contact Mary Tucker on 020 7693 0453.