Two former on-screen rivals will come together to co-present the EDF Energy South West Media Awards next month.

The awards, which celebrate the best press and broadcast journalism across the region, are being held at the Plymouth Pavilions on Thursday 4 June.

Between 2001 and 2006, Richard Lyddon and Susan Osman were up against eachother on screen as presenters of ITV West and BBC Points West respectively.

Now the pair have come together for the first time to co-present the South West Media awards.

Richard said: “Susan and I first worked together at HTV West in the early 1980s. Strangely, we’ve never worked together on an event like this before, so we’re really looking forward to it.

“These are difficult times for regional journalism, both print and broadcast, so I’m delighted that EDF Energy is recognising that having quality journalism in the regions is vital for a healthy democracy.”

Susan added: “Richard and I now work for Talking Issues, which provides the audio edition of The Economist, but these awards seemed like a good opportunity to work together at an event promoting the very best regional talent.”

In return for their involvement, EDF Energy is making a donation to the presenters’ chosen charity, Rainbow’s End Foundation, on their behalf. Susan is heavily involved with the charity, which offers community counselling services.

Shortlists for the newspaper and broadcast categories have already been announced for the awards, now in their fifth year.

They include daily and weekly newspaper, front page, print journalist and newcomer, television and radio journalist, radio and TV news programmes of the year.