An annual awards scheme aimed at Midlands journalists is flying high after linking up again with Birmingham International Airport as the main sponsor for 2010.

The Midlands Media Awards, introduced eight years ago by Birmingham Press Club, is being held on May 13, at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham.

This is the third year that the airport has sponsored the awards, together with the Press Club’s overall sponsor, Royal Mail.

At the event’s finale, journalists from newspapers and magazines as well as digital, TV and radio will be fighting it out in 21 categories, including newspaper of the year, and scoop of the year.

Two new categories have been introduced for 2010: TV and radio journalist of the year, and Trainee/student journalist of the year, which is aimed at students hoping to take up a career in the media.

The other categories are: headline of the year; magazine of the year; radio journalist of the year; television journalist of the year; regional photographer of the year; sports photographer of the year; weekly photographer of the year; sports journalist of the year; news reporter of the year (daily); news reporter of the year (weekly); newcomer of the year; business journalist of the year; feature writer of the year; community campaign of the year; columnist of the year; and the Trevor Roberts award, which is aimed at upcoming photographers.

There are also three online categories, introduced for the first time last year: online journalist of the year; digital innovation; and online campaign (the People’s Choice award, which is voted on by the world of bloggers and tweeters). Category winners each receive £100, scoop of the year wins £500 and entry into the awards is free.

The deadline for entries this year is 16 April.

John Lamb, chairman of Birmingham Press Club, said: “Our awards scheme recognises and rewards the efforts of journalists from the field of newspapers, magazines, radio, television and new digital media.

“The Midland Media Awards is established as one of the leading competitions for the regional media and is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the calendar.

“The high regard that the awards is held in can be gauged by the quality of the sponsors that we are able to attract, which this year is once again headed by Birmingham International Airport, and also our overall sponsor, Royal Mail.

“We are indebted to them, and our other sponsors, for giving their support to what should be a terrific night on 13 May.”

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Midlands Media Awards again this year and we hope that we receive even more entries from media across the Midlands region.

“The Birmingham Press Club’s events always guarantee to be enjoyable and entertaining and we have a few things up our sleeves to make the awards night the best yet so we look forward to seeing lots of new faces at the ICC this May.”

There is still time for companies and organisations interested in sponsoring the awards and its various categories to do so – anyone who wants further information should contact the organiser, Denise Mickle, on 07973 710504