Four Leicester Mercury journalists nominated for awards

Four staff members from the Leicester Mercury have been shortlisted in the Midlands Media Awards. Photographers Mike Sewell, Chris Gordon, Alex Hannam and reporter Peter Warzynski are among the nominations which will be announced on June 13. Nominations for the Awards, organised by Nottingham-based Cloud 9 Event Management on behalf of Birmingham Press Club, were announced today (May 13). The winners will be revealed at a presentation evening at The Holte Suite, Villa Park, in Birmingham. Peter Warzynski has been nominated journalist of the year, Chris Gordon has been nominated in the news photographer of the year and news photograph of the year categories. Alex Hannam and Mike Sewell have both been nominated in the sports photographer of the year category. Peter Lowe, managing editor of Sky News, who chaired the judging panel, said: "There was excellent work in all types of media and disciplines. But we were particularly struck by the way in which local newspapers -- among the most hard-pressed institutions in the ever-changing media landscape -- are still delivering sharp and original journalism for the benefit of their readers. Long may it continue." Leicester Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth said: "I would like to congratulate our members of staff who have been nominated for the Midlands Media Awards. "It shows was a high calibre of staff we have here and is a compliment to their work. "These nominations come on the heels of the nominations the Leicester Mercury received for the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards the results of which will be announced on Friday." The Midland Media Awards are being sponsored by Birmingham Airport, with further support from Barclays Bank, Birmingham City University, Bournville College, East Midlands Airport and Drayton Manor Theme Park.