TRADITIONAL rivalries will be temporarily put to one side as journalists from throughout the region gather at the Goddard Arms Hotel in Old Town tonight for the inaugural Wiltshire Media Awards.

Prizes will be given in eight categories covering a range of areas in which print, broadcast, public relations and web journalists carry out their trade.

All the nominees were put forward by either fellow media workers or members of the public. Each entrant had to submit a portfolio representing their work to be assessed by a highly distinguished judging panel.

They have had a lengthy task prioritising the submissions from journalists working at three regional television centres, two radio stations and several newspapers, including the Evening Advertiser, plus four freelance entries.

The awards have been organised by the Swindon branch of the National Union of Journalists.

Awards will be presented to winners of the best reporter, best newcomer, best sports journalist, best feature writer, best public relations journalist, best headline, best photographer and scoop of the year categories.

The Evening Advertiser has the highest number of nominees with 20 members of staff up for awards.