THE Warrington Guardian has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

It has been named as a finalist in the outstanding use of social media category at the Newsawards 2018, which will be held in London next month.

The awards celebrate the best in news media print, technology and business innovation across the UK.

Judges agreed the Warrington Guardian had used its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms to great effect throughout the past 12 months, experimenting with new concepts and campaigns including Born in 2017 and #WalkitWednesday, along with live reports, debates and video to ensure it remains one of the biggest and fastest growing providers of local news in the north west.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Lancaster London hotel opposite Hyde Park on Wednesday, April 18.

Other publishers shortlisted in the same category include The Independent, The Telegraph and Mirror Online.

It is the second award nomination for the Warrington Guardian so far this year. In January its Viola Beach anniversary tribute edition was named Hold the Front Page's regional front page of the year.

You can follow the Warrington Guardian for the latest news and sport updates at facebook.com/warringtonguardian, on Twitter @warringtonnews and on Instagram @warringtonguardian.