A journalism award is to be named in memory of a former regional press writer who died last year.

Bill McAllister spent 24 years at Aberdeen daily the Press & Journal serving as Highland sports editor, North news editor and the paper’s first Highland editor.

Now Bill, who died last April aged 78, is to be honoured by having a prize named after him at the annual Highlands and Islands Media Awards.

The Bill McAllister Memorial Trophy will be presented to the Sports Reporter of the Year at the ceremony, due to take place on 2nd February at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.

Son Ker, widow Bet and daughter Gemma McAllister with the trophy named in Bill’s honour.

Bet McAllister, Bill’s widow and a Highland councillor, said: “Bill’s family is very proud that this prestigious award will be given to sports journalists in his memory.

“He was such a big part of journalism in the Highlands and Islands for so long and this ensures his name will continue to be remembered for many years to come.”

Nicola McAlley, chair of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards judging panel, said: “Bill was a stalwart of the sports scene and a fantastic character with an anecdote for every occasion.

“He was a giant in terms of journalism in the Highlands and it is very fitting that his legacy will be honoured and remembered from now on by future winners of this category.”

Bill started his career with the North Star in Dingwall aged 16 before moving to the Highland News in Inverness two years later.

He subsequently joined the Press and Journal, where in addition to his other roles he was also the paper’s shinty correspondent for many years.

He was the founder and editor of Highland Football and Sport and in 1993 wrote the history of the first 100 years of the Highland League, The Highland Hundred.

The award is open to writers and broadcasters delivering a wide range of sports coverage in the region.