Two experienced regional broadcasters have been unveiled as the co-hosts of next month’s EDF Energy South West Media Awards.

Former ITV West presenter Richard Lyddon and BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Vernon Harwood will co-present the June 10 awards ceremony held in conjunction with HoldtheFrontPage.

The Winter Garden Pavilions, Weston-Super-Mare, is the venue for this year’s awards which celebrate the best press and broadcast journalism across the region.

The competition, now in its sixth year, attracted more than 250 entries and the shortlist for the 19 categories up for grabs was unveiled last month.

Richard, who started his broadcasting career with BBC Radio Bristol before joining HTV West and later TV-am and Sky, anchored the ITV West news between 2001 and 2005. He now works as a media consultant and presents the audio edition of The Economist.

He said: “It’s vital to recognise and celebrate quality journalism in the regions and I’m delighted that EDF Energy is making that possible.”

Vernon, a freelance broadcaster and programme-maker, presents BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s rural affairs show ‘Country Matters’ and first joined the BBC as a radio journalist in the 1980s.

As well as presenting on local stations in Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Bristol, Oxford and Somerset, Vernon was previously Managing Editor at BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Wiltshire.

He has also reported for BBC Points West and is the longest-serving presenter of BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s flagship breakfast news programme, with two stints on the show, between 1991-5 and 2001-5.

He said: “I’m looking forward to playing a part in this annual showcase of the best journalism and programme-making in the region. Good luck to all this year’s nominees.”

Claire Byrd, EDF Energy senior media manager, said: “I’m delighted that we have two regional broadcasters of such calibre for this year’s EDF Energy South West Media Awards.

“This year we had more than 250 entries – a record and testament to the strength of the awards and the continued support from the regional media. It should be a great event.”

Comments

Steven Bell (26/05/2010 12:08:51)
I think it’s time press officers used words other than ‘delighted’ every time a press release with a positive angle is knocked together. Either that or the people they are quoting really ARE always saying they are delighted! Just an observation.