A new awards scheme recognising the work of young journalists has been launched in memory of a former regional daily news editor who died last year aged 49.

The Nick Machin Prize has been set up to honour the best of journalism in Wales, with the inaugural awards due to be presented later this year.

Nick, pictured, who spent the majority of his career with the South Wales Echo as a reporter and news editor, died in August as a result of a brain tumour.

The awards have been launched today, on what would have been Nick’s 50th birthday.

Current plans are for three awards to be presented for young journalist of the year, outstanding story/feature by a young journalist, and outstanding contribution.

The first two categories will be open to anyone aged 26 or under at the end of 2019, and the scheme’s focus on young journalists serves as a nod to Nick’s “tireless commitment” to mentoring trainees and junior reporters.

Media Wales editor-in-chief Paul Rowland serves on the steering group for the awards, along with former Echo editor Alastair Milburn and the newspaper’s former business and political editor Phil Nifield.

Entries for the initial set of awards will open in May with an awards ceremony planned for October.

Said Paul: “It’s an honour for us all to be part of something that will create a lasting tribute to Nick.

“The outpouring of emotion at the time of Nick’s passing was remarkable, but so too was the number of journalists across the industry who remembered him with the utmost fondness as someone who had given them invaluable support as they started out in their careers.

“It seemed fitting that an award in Nick’s memory should pay tribute to this work.”

As well as honouring young journalists, the awards ceremony will also aim to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity and City Hospice, which provides palliative care in Cardiff.

Talks are currently underway with potential sponsors to secure funding for the event to run for a minimum of five years, but any of Nick’s friends and colleagues who would like to make a donation to the awards can do so here.

The organisers are also currently recruiting potential judges, and also friends and colleagues of Nick’s who would be interested in joining the steering group.

Anyone interested in becoming involved in either capacity, or would like more information, can email Paul at [email protected].