Judges will this week begin the task of poring over more than 600 entries for the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards.

The entry deadline for the awards, designed to celebrate the best of British regional newspaper journalism during 2012, passed last week.

Now panels of independent experts will assess each entry under the chairmanship of Paul Horrocks, SoE president in 2007 and former editor of the Manchester Evening News.

The awards, made possible by the lead sponsorship of UK Power Networks, are supported by Asda and Foot Anstey solicitors and held in association with HoldtheFrontPage and the Press Association.

Society of Editors executive director Bob Satchwell said: “I’m sure the judges will be massively impressed with the brilliant work of local journalists who serve their communities day in and day out.”

Shortlists will be published on the awards website www.theregionalpressawards.org.uk in mid-April.

Winners will be announced at a lunchtime awards ceremony to be held at the Savoy Place, London on Friday 17 May.

Advanced bookings for tickets or tables can be made by emailing Kate McMillan at [email protected]