THE Hexham Courant has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The Courant is one of six local newspapers across the country shortlisted in the Weekly Newspaper of the Year at the annual newsawards.

The paper will go up against Cambridge IndependentHereford TimesKent MessengerNewbury Weekly News and The Westmorland Gazette . The winners will be announced in an awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster, in London, on Wednesday, May 8.

Hexham Courant editor, Gemma Brown, said: "It's an honour to be in the running for this award which is a great endorsement for the hard work of the whole Courant team."