Former Top of the Times editor up for top UK newspaper Award

The former editor of the Top of the Times section of the Cape Times, Tony Jackman, is up for a prestigious award in the 2004 Newspaper Awards to be announced on April 28 at the London Hilton.

Jackman, who is editor of the West Sussex Gazette, is up against the Daily Mirror, The Observer, the Reading Evening Post, Garden News and The Herald in the "Most Outstanding Use of Colour" category, one of the most hotly contested in the awards line-up.

The annual awards recognise excellence in newspaper publishing in the UK and Jackman's front pages in the West Sussex Gazette are pitted against counterparts from some of the most celebrated names in the print industry.

"This is a long way from Cape Town, and somehow just being there at the London Hilton on the evening of the awards would make the journey worthwhile," said Chichester-based Jackman. He joined the West Sussex Gazette immediately after settling in the UK in late 2002. His wife, well-known Cape Town columnist and former promotions manager of the Cape Times, Diane Cassere, is a senior editor and columnist on titles in the same group.

"The West Sussex Gazette is a strong regional title that staunchly serves its county and is the weekly paper of record. Our colour front pages are a mix of whimsy and celebration of the beauty of the environment. A weeping willow at dusk or a lone heron on a log evoke the purity and sensuality of this corner of the world, " said Jackman.

The nomination comes only weeks after Jackman learnt that one of his front pages had been included in the Newspaper Society's newly-published '100 of the Best Front Pages'.