The Cordner North East Press Awards mark their 30th year of activity in 2008 with a refreshed line-up that includes a new title of North East News Website of the Year, to reflect their role in the local media scene.

The first winners of the award for online journalism will be unveiled at the 27th awards ceremony in Newcastle on 24 May, 2008, along with winners in 21 other categories, covering reporting, specialist writing, photography and design.

John Bailey, co-founder and treasurer of the Cordner Awards, said: “Not before time, the Cordners have opened a new category to compare and reward online journalism.

“In Tom Cordner’s day the idea of news pages on computer screens was the stuff of sci-fi. But rely on it, Tom would have been absorbed by cyberspace – so creation of a new award is fitting.”

Chairman of the organising committee Bernice Saltzer, added: “Entries from newspapers and magazines have continued to rise in recent years, and now the editors can pitch their associated websites into the contest.

“The presentation event is a night for the press and their guests, plus sponsors from business and other organisations to celebrate together the importance of good journalism in the North East.”

The editorial awards include (with current holders):

North East Newspaper of the Year
The Journal, Newcastle

North East Weekly Newspaper of the Year
Hexham Courant

North East Journalist of the Year
Adam Jupp, Evening Chronicle, Newcastle

North East Young Journalist of the Year
Chloe Griffiths, The Journal, Newcastle

The North East Press Awards began in 1979 as a tribute by fellow journalists to Tom Cordner. He was news editor of the Hartlepool Mail when he died, aged 38, in 1976. The first single award was presented the folllowing year.

More details can be found on the Cordner website.