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

Six powerful regional newspaper front pages

I am looking forward to the Regional Press Awards next Friday ... a very rare chance to find so many colleagues and friends in the same place at the same time. One of my favourite awards is always the Front Page of the Year. Here are the pages on this year's shortlist.

The Belfast Telegraph uses a cracking picture taken during the loyalist protests last summer.

The Courier in Dundee goes for a wraparound with a really tight crop to celebrate Andy Murray winning Wimbledon.

The Manchester Evening News wipes out Page 1 with the last text that Lee Rigby sent home before he was butchered on the streets of London.

The North West Mail uses a mosaic of 1,200 local faces to create the picture of a baby to illustrate its campaign to keep a maternity hospital open.

The Northern Echo offers readers alternative front pages for the funeral of Margaret Thatcher. One shows tributes in London, the other former North-East miners condemning the woman they blame for blighting their communities. Both were on display and readers could choose.

The South Wales Echo runs a strong illustration expressing its view of the plans to change Cardiff City's name to the Cardiff Dragons.

Six very powerful pages that illustrate the creativity and passion that is prevalent in the regional Press. I certainly wouldn't like to pick one over the others. Who will win? All will be revealed next Friday. Hopefully, I will see some of you there.