Weekly newspapers the length and breadth of the country are preparing themselves for the Newspaper Society Weekly Newspaper Awards.

Among those featuring on the shortlist for the 30 editorial and advertising awards are the Aberdeen Citizen, Harrogate Advertiser, Kidderminster Chronicle and Mid Devon Gazette.

The Weekly Newspaper Awards strive to celebrate the achievements of weekly newspaper publishers across a number of different elements including journalism, photography, advertising and online.

The judging panel included Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford and Production Journal editor Gary Cullum.

Neil Sullivan, head of pictures for Action Images Ltd and judge of the photography sections, said: “The high standard of the entries was impressive and made the whole judging process enjoyable although this made my final decisions extremely difficult.”

Among the big winners last year were the Tamworth Herald (paid-for) and Kent on Sunday (free) which won the two Newspaper of the Year titles while the Newbury Weekly News took Website of the Year.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Leeds Marriott Hotel on 27 November.

Those wishing to attend the awards are now able to book their places via a booking form on the Newspaper Society website.