Six cracking regional newspaper front pages

The shortlists for the Regional Press Awards have now been announced. Well done to all of those who made it to the final six. I judged three categories and was, as always, hugely impressed by the quality. It is clear there is plenty of life in regional newspapers yet - and anyone who writes them off should have a close look at the entries. There really is some excellent writing, campaigns and designs. The digital award just shows how far the industry - well Trinity Mirror and the Belfast Telegraph to be accurate - has progressed over the last year. One category that always catches the eye is Front Page of the Year. Below are the shortlisted six. I wasn't involved in the judging of these so have no idea who has won ... could be any one of them. The winners will be announced at the awards lunch on May 15 at the Marriott, Grosvenor Square, London. It is one of my favourite events of the year, so I am looking forward to catching up with old colleagues and friends over a glass or two and celebrating the cream of the regional industry. See you there. Click here for the full shortlist.

The Belfast Telegraph on the death of Ian Paisley

The Brentwood Gazette on the brutal Tweets sent after a man was hit by a train 

The Dorset Echo's WWI centenary wrap

The Edinburgh Evening News on the result of the referendum

The Evening Telegraph, Dundee, on drug users on a street at 5.30pm


The Western Mail on the Nato Summit in Newport

Capturing Swansea's glory in print

What an amazing day for Swansea. The journalists at the South Wales Evening Post were certainly among those who had a fantastic time - some of them at Wembley and some making sure the paper reflected the passion and joy of the city. Not only did Swansea FC win their first major trophy but they broke the record for the biggest scoreline in League Cup history. Well done to all concerned including designers Emma Bryant, Siân David and Mat Davies and photographer Rob Melen. Above is the front page and below are a couple of others. Hopefully the paper will sell like hot cakes tomorrow.

The Western Mail also inevitably splashed on the Swansea victory and most of the nationals led their back pages and sports sections on the 5-0 victory over Bradford. Here's a selection.

I am delighted that another team in black and white won today ... and scored four goals for the first time this season. It was a cracking day on Tyneside where Newcastle not only beat Southampton 4-2, and moved ahead of Sunderland, but also celebrated the influx of French players. Blaydon Races was sang in French, La Marseillaise was played and can-can girls graced the pitch. 

The Newcastle Journal certainly entered into the spirit, changing its name to Le Journal for the day and asking French midfielder Yohan Cabeye to edit the paper. Just to add the icing on the gateau ... Cabeye scored Newcastle's third goal. Great stuff.  

Western Mail prepares for battle

Of all today's front pages, it is this stunning illustration from the Western Mail that catches the eye. As the Welsh line up against England at Twickenham today the paper captures the tone with a cover by illustrator Patrick Goddard. It's original and brilliantly executed ... probably irresistible on the news-stands and definitely a collector's item. Fantastic stuff. Goddard is an illustrator on the Judge Dredd comic strip. You can read more here. Hat tip to @Steffan_Rhys.