An annual awards scheme which aims to encourage writing about horseracing is open for entries.

The Wills Writing Awards is now in its 21st year and started in 1993 in memory of Martin Wills, an amateur jockey and journalist at Bradford’s Telegraph and Argus, who died in April 1992 at the age of 39.

There are three awards, for under 26s, under 19s and under 15s, and all regional press journalists are welcome to enter.

Cash prizes of £1,250 to the winner and £750 to the runner-up are on offer in the under-26 category and the winners will be published in the Racing Post and The Irish Field.

The deadline for entries is the 28 February and for further information, visit the awards website here.