A prestigious journalism award now in its fifth year is open for entries.

The Paul Foot Award celebrates the best in campaigning and investigative journalism on a local, regional or national level.

Last year the Rossington Community Newsletter, based in South Yorkshire, was shortlisted alongside journalists from The Times and Private Eye magazine whose editor Ian Hislop heaped praise on the monthly title.

And in 2007 Deborah Wain, from the Doncaster Free Press, took joint first prize for her investigation into a failed multi-million pound education project.

The awards were created in memory of left-wing campaigner and investigative journalist Paul Foot who died aged 66 in 2004.

Paul worked for the Daily Record, Daily Mirror and Private Eye and was involved in campaigns such as the Birmingham Six and Bridgewater Four, winning various awards for his work.

Entries for this year’s award must have been published between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 in a newspaper, magazine or online. Broadcast material is not eligible.

Individuals or teams of journalists as well as entire publications may enter and submissions will be considered for anything from single pieces to entire campaigns.

The overall winner will be awarded £5,000, with the five runners-up each receiving £1,000.

The judging panel for this year includes Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger and National Union of Journalists general secretary Jeremy Dear.

The closing date for entries is 1 September and the awards ceremony takes place on 2 November in London.