The EDF Energy South West Media Awards 2011, held in association with HoldtheFrontPage, officially opens for entries today.

Journalists from across the South West are invited to enter the awards, to showcase their work and attract the very best talent from all regional newspapers, radio and television in the region.

These free-to-enter awards, now in their seventh year honour the best in journalism across an area that covers Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Individual award winners will receive a £100 cheque, certificate and trophy. All those shortlisted, along with their guests, will be invited to a celebration presentation event, courtesy of EDF Energy.

The application form can be downloaded here. It also contains all the information relating to the guidelines that you would need to enter.

Only material published between 23 February 2010 and 27 February 2011 will be eligible for the awards so please check your entries carefully.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday 8 April 2011.

There are 20 categories to choose from and journalists can submit work for as many categories as they wish, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and approved by their editor.

The individual categories are:

Print Journalist of the Year (Daily)
Print Journalist of the Year (Weekly)
Radio Journalist of the Year
Television Journalist of the Year
Newcomer of the Year
Feature Writer of the Year
Designer of the Year
News Photographer of the Year
Sports Journalist of the Year
Business Journalist of the Year
Environmental Journalist of the Year
Columnist of the Year

Group categories are:

Daily Newspaper of the Year
Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Paid-for)
Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Free)
Front Page of the Year
Radio News/Current Affairs Programme of the Year
Television News/Current Affairs Programme of the Year
Website of the Year
Community Campaign of the Year

All entries should be sent by 5pm on Friday 8 April 2011 to:

Paul Linford
HoldtheFrontPage
Northcliffe House
Meadow Road
Derby
DE1 2BH