THE University of York's student newspaper has been nominated for a string of awards in a national competition.

York Vision has been nominated for five awards in the prestigious Guardian Student Media Awards, which are now in their 24th year.

The awards recognise the best student journalists, editors and photographers with prizes including cash and work placements.

The publication has been shortlisted for Student Newspaper of the Year and Small Budget Publication of the Year.

The website York Vision Online has been short listed for the Student Website of the Year. The paper's Isobel Todd has been nominated for the Student Critic of the Year, and her colleague Gareth Walker has been nominated for Student Columnist of the Year.

Vision, which is a free paper, was founded more than 15 years ago and offers students a way of getting vital journalistic experience.

Adrian Butler, who is co-editor of the magazine along with Tom Hazeldine, said he was delighted with the nominations.

He said he was pleased that, despite having only been given a small amount of money to fund the paper, they were still able to get nominated for so many awards.

He added: "I think the judges are looking for consistent quality and a bit of attitude as I think they see some student newspapers as a bit bland."

The shortlist for the awards was decided by a panel that includes Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger, Gabby Logan from ITV Sport, and co-founder of lastminute.com Martha Lane Fox.

The University of Leeds student newspaper, Leeds Student, has also been nominated for Student Newspaper of the Year, with the paper's Mark Powell and Andrzres Lukowski shortlisted for Student Critic of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the Guardian Student Media Conference taking place on November 6 in London.

For information about the conference, which is free, phone 01727 865395 or write to The Guardian Student Media Conference, PO Box 415, St Albans, AL4 OYW.

Updated: 08:53 Wednesday, September 18, 2002