The Online Media Awards, celebrating the best of web journalism in the UK, are now open for entries.

HoldtheFrontPage is one of three media partners for the event, which will culminate in a prize giving ceremony in June.

There are 17 categories including a new category for best local/regional news site.

The deadline for entries is Friday 23 March and the entry form can be downloaded here.

Other categories include: best site for news-led journalism, best specialist site for journalism, best use of social media, online editor of the year and digital writer of the year.

Online Media Awards director Lynn Lester said:  “In our ever changing media landscape, media owners have had to adapt very quickly to the ways in which they disseminate editorial content to their audiences.

“The constant hard work that goes on behind the scenes are often taken for granted and that is why these awards are important – to give teams and individuals the credit they so richly deserve.

“Our judges are looking to award those sites that are the most thought provoking, engaging and well written from across the world.  You don’t need to be big to win; you just have to be the best.”

HTFP Publisher Paul Linford added: “The awards organisers are keen to feature more entries from the regional press so I hope we can help them extend their reach into the sector and thereby giving regional press journalists a further opportunity to see their work recognised.”

Paul will be a member of the judging panel and will present the regional journalism award at the ceremony.

The full list of categories is as follows:

Online Editor of the Year
Digital Writer of the Year
Best Site for news-led Journalism
Best Specialist Site for Journalism
Best Local/Regional News Site
Best National News Site
Best Campaigning / Investigative Journalism
Best Commentary/Blogging
Best Video Journalism
Best Designed site
Best Twitter feed
Best Use of Social Media
Best Use of Crowd Sourcing or Citizen Journalism
Best Brand Development
Best Commercial Innovation
Best Technical Innovation
Best Use of Photography