Journalists have been given an extra week to submit their entries to this year’s Regional Press Awards.

Organising body the Society of Editors has announced the deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday 12 March.

The SoE said it was aware that “during this time of increased pressure and activity for our industry, many publications and journalists are finding it difficult to meet the original deadline” of today.

The awards include categories from Newspaper and News Website of the Year to prizes celebrating digital excellence and the work of individual reporters, designers and photographers.

Ian Murray, pictured, SoE executive director and chair of the judges, said: “In any year the regional press in the UK performs an important and vital service in binding communities together and policing local democracy, however during 2020 it stepped up to the mark to play an even more significant role.

“The fact the crisis is not over should not and will not prevent us from recognising the amazing professionalism and sheer determination shown by local journalists and their publications during last year.”

Entries can be submitted here.