THE Dorset Echo has been nominated for three awards in the EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards.

The paper has been shortlisted for the prestigious Daily Newspaper of the Year award for the third consecutive year.

Senior reporter Arron Hendy is in the running for Print Journalist of the Year in the daily category and Lucy Pearce has been shortlisted in the Newcomer of the Year category.

For award winning reporter Arron Hendy this is the second prestigious accolade in just over a year after he won the Best Trainee Award for news journalism at the Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2010.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said: “I am delighted that we have been nominated for yet another prestigious award.

“It is recognition for the hard work of our dedicated staff and the loyalty of our readers which together continue to make the Dorset Echo one of the best performing newspapers in the country.”

The judging panel, which included editors and other senior figures from regional media, analysed and debated the merits of more than 250 entries across the 19 categories.

The winners will be announced at a presentation evening next month.