Five new prizes specifically for local and regional journalists will be up for grabs at the next edition of an annual journalism awards.

The Scottish Press Awards will feature categories including Local Feature Writer of the Year, Local Campaign of the Year, Local Reporter of the Year, Regional Feature Writer of the Year and Regional Reporter of the Year in 2023.

The awards scheme, now in its 44th year, will cover a record total of 34 different categories and is now welcoming entries.

The local categories are specifically for small print or online publications serving distinct communities, such as traditional weekly newspapers, while regional awards are for journalists working in larger regional daily or city-wide publications and websites.

Scottish Newspaper Society director John McLellan said: “The challenges facing the industry might change but they don’t diminish, and neither does the quality of journalism produced by Scottish news publishers every day.

“Despite sparing costs, our sector continues to innovate to keep the public supplied with reliable and trustworthy information.

“This year’s event is moving back to its traditional spring timing, and we are once again looking forward to a showcase for the best in Scottish journalism.”

The awards ceremony and dinner will return to an earlier slot in the year and will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central on Wednesday 7 June.

Entries must be for work published between 1 January and 31 December 2022, and can be submitted until Thursday 6 February.

More information and a full list of award categories can be found here.