Laura Bowyer, who studied Print Journalism in 2007, is one of three reporters in line for Young Journalist of the Year (Daily Newspapers). Grace Melody-Gardner, who completed the Broadcast course in 2008, is one of four battling for News Reporter of the Year.

Laura, 26, originally from Grimsby, achieved her Postgraduate Diploma and her National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Preliminary qualifications while at Leeds Trinity and went on to work for Leeds Weekly News and then the Wharfe Valley Times. She has since gained her NCTJ National exam qualifications and is a reporter with the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Grace, from Guiseley, studied French at Warwick University before joining Leeds Trinity with a bursary from Real Radio (Yorkshire). She is now working at Real in Leeds as a broadcast journalist.

Laura and Grace will hear whether they have won their categories at the awards ceremony at York Racecourse on July 14.

Glenn Manoff, from O2, said the awards had attracted a record number of entries. He added: “The judges were hugely impressed with the quality of the work and we’re delighted that many of the entries demonstrate the important role of the regional press in local communities and the excellent work of news teams across the regions.”