A CURRENT and former Advertiser reporter have been nominated for the same major prize in Scotland's annual journalism awards.

Chief reporter Tristan Stewart-Robertson was named as a finalist in the 'local reporter of the year category at the Scottish Press Awards.

Former Advertiser reporter Ross Hanvidge is nominated in the same category for the awards, which will be presented at a ceremony in Glasgow on June 7.

Among the pieces of Tristan's work submitted to the award judges was a story on tributes being paid to Robert Muirhead, one of the founding members of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community First Responders group in 2019, who died in January of last year, aged 82.

His other nominated articles, written as chief reporter of the Advertiser and its sister title the Clydebank Post, included an interview with a rape survivor who spoke out after the trial of her attacker was delayed for nearly a year, and a story on a mum and councillor facing huge energy prices rises to keep her daughter's medical equipment constantly on standby.

Tristan began working with Newsquest as chief reporter on the Post in early 2016, and took on an expanded role, also incorporating the Advertiser, early last year.

He won the Scottish Press Awards' local weekly feature writer of the year title in 2019.

Ross, who began working with the Advertiser in the summer of 2018, was promoted to the role of chief reporter on two of Newsquest's Ayrshire titles, the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald and Irvine Times, in early 2022.

Last month he was appointed to the role of senior reporter on another of Newsquest's west of Scotland titles, the Greenock Telegraph.

In 2020 Ross won a top prize from the National Council for the Training of Journalists for the quality of the 'e-logbook' he submitted to secure his NQJ (National Qualification for Journalists).

Richard Neville, chair of the Scottish Press Awards judges, said: “The pressure on journalists and news organisations continues to grow every year and, despite the incredible challenges the industry faces, the quality of entries to The Scottish Press Awards continues unabated.

“This year has been one of further diversification with digital content becoming the central feature of many newsrooms.

"At the heart of every entry, however, is simple good storytelling, digital or otherwise.

"While selecting the winners has been as difficult as ever, it has been clear throughout the process that Scotland is being well served because of the value our journalists and editors are placing on telling great stories, in every format.”