FOR the second consecutive year, the Hexham Courant has been shortlisted for the Weekly Newspaper of the Year title at the prestigious Regional Press Awards.

The announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed the Courant had made the shortlist for the national accolade at the newsawards.

Executive Director Ian Murray said; "We have seen record entries for this year’s Regional Press Awards, and I know that the judges have had a tremendously difficult task in choosing the nominated journalists and papers from such an excellent field of entries."

The Courant will be up against: Bury Free Press, Cambridge Independent, Henley Standard, Impartial Reporter, and Newry Reporter. 

The awards ceremony will be held in London on May 17.