Forty of the most important names from regional journalism in the modern era are to be honoured forever in the industry's first Hall of Fame.
Press Gazette is convening a panel later this month to decide which figures from the past four decades of regional newspapers deserve to be recognised.
The panellists will consider anyone who has had an impact on journalism in the regional press.
Press Gazette readers will also have a say on who gets honoured.
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Portraits of all those in the Regional Journalism Hall of Fame will be displayed at a special exhibition as part of the Regional Press Awards at the Royal Lancaster hotel, London, on Friday, 7 July.
New names will subsequently be added to the Hall of Fame on an annual basis.
It is the latest in a series of celebrations following the unveiling of a national newspaper journalism Hall of Fame to coincide with Press Gazette's 40th anniversary last November.
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The Hall of Fame panel, chaired by director of PA Training and former Northern Echo editor Peter Sands, includes: Manchester Evening News editor Paul Horrocks, former Cumbrian Newspapers editorial director Keith Sutton, Trinity Mirror editorial director Neil Benson, former Western Daily Press editor and editors' code committee secretary Ian Beales, former York Evening Press editor Liz Page and Johnston Press editorial executive David Rowell.
Press Gazette readers are invited to send names for consideration by the panel to editor Ian Reeves (ianr@pressgazette.co.uk) by Wednesday 17 May.
Meanwhile, there is just a week to go before the deadline for entries to the Regional Press Awards.
Forms are available to download from www.pressgazette.co.uk or from charlottem@pressgazette.co.uk, or on 0207 038 1469. For table bookings and sponsorship, contact Paul Beard on paulb@pressgazette.co.uk.
Chairman of the judges Peter Sands said: "The Regional Press Awards are the most prestigious in the regional newspaper calendar.
"They play a significant role, not only in celebrating our business, but also recognising the extraordinary standard of journalistic talent we have in our industry."
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