Local and regional press sports journalists are being urged to get their entries in for a prestigious set of national awards.

Entries are now open for the 2010 British Sports Journalism Awards, organised by the Sports Journalists Association.

Although there is a specific category for regional sports writers, chairman of judges Jon Ryan wants to encourage local journalists to consider entering all the categories on offer.

“Who says that ‘Fleet Street’ has the monopoly on top writers? Why should talented journalists working outside London not be recognised for the quality of their writing, no matter in what medium?” he said.

Jon, a former Sunday Telegraph sports editor, said he also wants to see entries from specialist sports bloggers.

“Why should a writer working for the internet not be considered for any of the writing awards? Top-quality writing is to be admired and praised wherever it appears,” he said.

The closing date for entries is 21 January and the lleading contenders are to be honoured at the Association’s gala awards dinner to be staged in London on 7 March.

For more details on the competition and to access forms, click here.