Entries are now being sought for the annual competition held by the Bristol branch of the Royal Television Society (RTS) to encourage and applaud excellence in television productions, skills and crafts in the area served by BBC West and ITV West.

There will be one new category at this year’s prize-giving, at the Royal Marriott Hotel, College Green, on 6 December 2007 – for the best ‘blooper’. Otherwise, the awards are open to individuals and companies who are based in the area or who have made factual, light entertainment or drama productions for first transmission here.

Bristol RTS chair, Denis Lomax (BBC) says: “The RTS does not pre-select entries for the juries so we’re relying on entrants to submit only the very best work from the criteria year (1 September 2006 to 31 August 2007). When preparing submissions, I cannot stress enough how important it is to send in information about the production, time scales, the budget and the specific reasons why you believe your entry should be awarded.”

Jane Blanchard (ITV West) will chair the panel of judges this year. For the eligibility criteria, rules and an entry form, see: RTS Bristol Centre . The closing date for entries is 24 September 2007.

RTS Bristol is also seeking ideas on who should be the next to receive its Sir Ambrose Fleming Award, honouring a lifetime of local television achievement. Last year the prize was shared by two highly regarded producers of a range of tv work who are also much-loved mentors of tv talent – Peter Jones, a former head of the BBC Natural History Unit and latterly the joint MD of Green Umbrella, and his wife, Sandra Jones, a long-time HTV/ ITV West producer. Suggestions for equally worthy recipients should be sent direct to Denis Lomax