The Orwell Prize 2010 celebrating the best in political blogging, writing and journalism is now open for entries.

The closing date for entries is 20 January and work must have been either published or broadcast in the UK or Ireland between 1 January and 31 December 2009.

The winners, who will take home £3,000 each, will be revealed at an award ceremony in London on 19 May.

For more details and to enter visit the Orwell Prize website.

A trio of newspapers who joined forces to fight toll bridge charges have delivered a petition to the government.

More than 11,000 people have backed the campaign opposing planned toll increases on the Humber Bridge by the Grimsby Telegraph, Hull Daily Mail and Scunthorpe Telegraph.

The petition was handed over to transport minister Sadiq Khan MP.

Sports journalist Hugh McIlvanney, who started his career with the Kilmarnock Standard, will receive an honorary degree from De Montfort University, in Leicester, this week.

Hugh currently writes the Voice of Sport column for the Sunday Times and has been working in newspapers for more than 50 years.

Inspired by a story he wrote earlier this year, North Devon Journal reporter Joel Cooper has organised a fundraising rugby match.

It will pit players from across North Devon against a team of marines.

Joel was inspired to organise the match after speaking to the family of soldier Chris King who was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan.

The Journal and Chris’ mother Tina set up the Guardsman Chris King Memorial Fund, proceeds of which go to Help For Heroes and the North Devon Army Cadets.

A week-long celebration of shorthand will run from 10 – 16 November.

It will include the launch of a new text book, shorthand races and a Radio 4 interview with Kim Fletcher, chairman of the National Council for the Training of Journalists. More details are available on nctj.com.