A Sky Sports presenter who began his career in the regional press will present this year’s NCTJ Awards for Excellence.

David Jones, pictured, has been unveiled as the host for this year’s awards, which will be held as part of the NCTJ’s annual Journalism Skills Conference in Sunderland.

David, who completed his NCTJ training at Sheffield College, started his journalism career as a news reporter with the Derbyshire Times covering crime and local politics.

After being drafted across to the sports desk, he then joined Sky for the launch of Sky Sports News in 1998 and now presents Super Sunday and Monday Night Football.

He said: “It’s a real honour to be asked to present the NCTJ Awards for Excellence back in my native North-East.

“The NCTJ is the benchmark for journalism standards and having come through the system myself, I know how hard these students and trainees will have worked to get here.”

The awards recognise the best journalism students, trainees, apprentices and training providers, and will be presented during the ceremony at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light home on the evening of 28 November.

A record number of entries were received this year, and the shortlist will be announced this coming Monday.

All shortlisted entrants will be invited to attend the ceremony as guests of the NCTJ and headline sponsor The Independent.