The finest journalism talent from the ‘Garden of England’ will be recognised tomorrow at the Kent Journalist of the Year Awards.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual awards scheme which can boast an impressive judging panel for the eight prize categories.

The lineup comprises Barbara Sturgeon, former BBC Radio Kent broadcaster, and Kim Fletcher, former editorial director of the Telegraph Group and now chairman of the NCTJ.

Joining them is Tim Luckhurst, professor of journalism at the University of Kent and former editor of The Scotsman, and Justin Allen, from the News of the World and Sun sports desk.

The awards are open to any journalist working for or retained by media in Kent and cover print, broadcast and online journalism.

The prize categories include Journalist of the Year, won by BBC South East’s Richard Smith in 2007, and Young Journalist of the Year, taken home by Jenna Pudelek of the Kent & Sussex Courier.

The other award categories are: Broadcast Journalist, Best Newspaper/Online Journalist, Sports Journalist, Feature Writer, Best Campaign and News Service.

See holdthefrontpage next week for the full list of winners.