Behind Local News, the platform for the stories behind the stories from the regional press in the UK, has launched the first Women In Local News Awards. As part of its celebration for Internation Women's Day, the awards have been set up with support from publishers and trade organisations to celebrate the impact women have had in local newsrooms over the last 12 months. 

Categories include Sports Journalist, What's On/Lifestyle Journalist, Specialist Reporter and Digital Journalist. As well as specific categories, there will be an overall Journalist of the Year award, picked by judges from shortlisted entries. 

Shortlists will be published in early May by a panel of independent judges, followed by winners announced on Behind Local News at the end of May.

For more information please visit behind-local-news-uk. Entries open on 12 March.