A new ‘Editor of the Year’ award has been added to the list of categories for the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards.

Daily or weekly editors who have personally fronted a campaign, or simply had a great idea, will be in the running for the new prize which will be handed out at the awards ceremony in May.

Entries opened this week for the awards, organised by the SoE in association with UK Power Networks and with the support of HoldtheFrontPage, Foot Anstey, Asda and the Press Association.

Candidates can enter online at a dedicated website www.theregionalpressawards.org.uk which has full details of categories and guidance on how to register.

The SoE said the new editor’s award will recognise “the editor of a daily or weekly regional newspaper who can demonstrate either personal journalistic achievement in the public interest, leadership, a personally fronted campaign, an individual battle with authority or simply a great idea.”

Editors can nominate themselves or can be nominated by senior editorial colleagues.

Entries will close on 7 March and shortlists will be published on 17 April.

The awards are judged by panels of independent experts and the winners will be announced at an Oscars-style lunchtime awards ceremony to be held at the Savoy Place, London on 25 May.