Journalists in Scotland have until tomorrow to enter an annual awards scheme celebrating the “vital work” of local newspapers.

The 40th Scottish Press Awards will take place in April 2019, and the deadline for submissions is just days away.

Four new categories are up for grabs this year in the Local/Weekly section of the awards – Sports Writer, Feature Writer, Campaign and Reporter of the Year.

The finalists will be announced in mid-March by organiser the Scottish Newspaper Society.

SNS director John McLellan said: “To recognise the crucial contribution our weekly titles make to the life of Scotland we have expanded the Scottish Press Awards to include four new categories for weekly newspaper journalists.

“Scotland’s vibrant weekly press is the backbone of the industry where talent is nurtured and the titles plays a vital role in communities up and down the country, giving communities identity and recognising local achievement as well as holding authorities properly to account.

“From what we see of the stories covered in the local press week in week out, the judges are looking forward to receiving some cracking entries.”

An awards dinner will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central on Thursday 25 April 2019.