The columnist Susie Boniface, known as Fleet Street Fox, has been lined up as a judge of a new journalism awards panel.

The Daily Mirror writer will judge the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards alongside Haymarket’s Patrick Fuller, journalist and lecturer Dr Sarah Lonsdale and award-winning TV producer Martyn Gregory.

Tunbridge Wells-based law firm Cripps, East Kent College and the Port of Dover are all sponsoring categories.

Andrew Metcalf, director at organisers Maxim, said: “We want the awards to be a celebration of the Kent media and a positive way to recognise the hard work that goes into providing a local news service.

“We would not be able to do this without the support of our sponsors so we are extremely grateful to the companies that are getting behind the scheme.

“There is a myth that the local and regional press is dying but actually it is constantly evolving.

“We have included categories such as Best Use of Social Media and ‘Online News Service of the Year to reflect this.

“While the tabloids often get a bad press, regional journalism provides a vital service to the public and needs our support.”

Entries will be accepted soon with the scheme culminating in an awards ceremony in summer 2015.

Details at www.kpbawards.co.uk.