The EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards 2011, in association with HoldtheFrontPage, are now open for entries.

For the first time media representing Berkshire are invited to enter the awards for reporters, photographers, designers, radio and television staff across the region.

The free-to-enter awards, now in their seventh year, honour the best in journalism across the London and the South of England – an area comprising Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, East and West Sussex, Surrey, the wider London area (as bounded by the M25) and now Berkshire.

There are 20 categories to choose from, covering daily and weekly newspapers, designers and broadcasters. The entry form can be downloaded here.

Only material published between 13 July 2010 and 26 June 2011 will be eligible and each entry must be signed by both the entrant and a senior member of editorial staff.

Entrants have more than five weeks to get their cuttings, pictures and tapes together with a final deadline for entries of 5pm on Friday 29 July 2011.

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

Last year’s winners included the Daily Echo in Bournemouth which won the Daily Newspaper, Front Page and Website of the Year prizes with the Kentish Gazette and Camden New Journal taking home the main weekly newspaper awards.

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

Categories for newspapers and broadcasting companies 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

People can submit work for as many categories as they wish but each must be accompanied by a separate entry form and approved by their editor.

All entries should be sent (by 5pm, Friday 29 July 2011) to:

Paul Linford
HoldtheFrontPage
Northcliffe House
Meadow Road
Derby DE1 2BH

If you have any questions or queries about the awards or the event itself, please e-mail Paul Linford at HTFP or Becky Clark at EDF Energy.