Norfolk's cultural champions are set to be celebrated in the annual Norfolk Arts Awards and today we can reveal some of the finalists in the running for accolades.

The ceremony, part of the Hostry Festival and in association with the Eastern Daily Press, will this year take place at Norwich Cathedral's Hostry on Friday, October 19.

Stash Kirkbride, who co-founded the the Norfolk Arts Awards with Peter Beck, said the annual event was all about shining a spotlight on the huge array of talented and dedicated people and organisations who help to make Norfolk's cultural scene so rich and vibrant.

THE 2018 NORFOLK ARTS AWARDS FINALISTS:

THE BROADCAST AND MEDIA AWARD (sponsored by University Of East Anglia)

• BBC Radio Norfolk's Wally Webb was part of the team that set up the station in 1980 and continues to be a much-loved voice on the airwaves today.

• David Whiteley for the BBC One programme, The Galaxy Britain Built, which celebrated the British contribution to the original Star Wars film.

THE BUSINESS AND THE ARTS AWARD (sponsored by Fosters Solicitors)

• Kate Roma, station coordinator for Norwich community radio station Future Radio, has since 2006 played a key role in the station which is a great platform for promoting the arts.

• Michael Rooney, previously head of fundraising for Break children's charity and now head of commercial services, is one of the key figures behind the GoGo sculpture trails including the GoGoHares.

THE NEW DIVERSITY AWARD (sponsored by Norwich Arts Centre)

• Playwright and performer James McDermott's cutting edge plays include Fast Food, Man Hug, Come Yew In (co-written with The Common Lot) and Rubber Ring which is being adapted for TV.

• Rosie Arnold has been a champion of Norwich Arts Centre for 11 years, most recently as executive producer, and earlier this year led Norwich's first Women of the World (WOW) Festival.

THE THEATRE AWARD (sponsored by The Thursford Christmas Spectacular)

• Peter Butler has been a champion of Norwich Puppet Theatre since 1986, over the years doing everything from puppet-making to maintenance of the building and equipment.

• Elizabeth and John Stokes have played a role in many theatre companies across Norwich including the Maddermarket Theatre, Sewell Barn Theatre and the Great Hall Players.

THE VISUAL ARTS AWARD (sponsored by Norwich University of the Arts)

• Artist Fiona Roberts has played a part in Norfolk's cultural landscape for the last 25 years since studying fine art at Norwich University of the Arts.

• Artists and teachers Rebecca Tough and Hannelore Smith, from Norwich-based Artpocket, have developed a broad programme of innovative creative education opportunities.

THE EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY AWARD (sponsored by Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Playhouse)

• Guy Martin has been a champion of film and media education for almost 30 years, most recently as manager of Cinema City Education.

• Elli Chapman is artistic director of Culture Works East and has been developing creative and cultural learning opportunities for young people for more than 20 years.

THE MUSIC AWARD (sponsored by Ashwood Studios)

• Elizabeth Watts is a former Norwich Cathedral chorister who has become a leading soprano and sung with everyone from the London Symphony Orchestra to the Netherlands Philharmonic.

• Norwich-based roots rock band The Vagaband has recently released their third album to much acclaim.

THE JARROLD NEW WRITING AWARD (supported by the John Jarrold Trust)

• Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, a partnership between the National Centre for Writing and the University of East Anglia, is a great celebration of the crime writing genre and flies the flag for Norwich's UNESCO City of Literature status.

• Sarah Perry, author of After Me Comes the Flood and The Essex Serpent, is to release her latest book, Melmoth, in October.

DR FRANK BATES DANCE AND MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD

• Cromer Pier Summer Show is a heritage attraction in its own right which for more than 40 years has been delighting audiences with its mix of music, dance and comedy.

• The Blakeney Players have been entertaining audiences since 1956 with their shows which are a mixture of comedy, live music and dance.

THE PETER BARROW BURSARY AWARD

• City College Norwich student Alice Forder is a multi-skilled performer who produces outstanding work that is technically accomplished, moving and poignant.

• Lucy Jackson has impressed in five summer shows with the Theatre Royal Junior Arts Course and has appeared in Frankenstein and Pronoun.

• City College Norwich student Freya Windsor has truly excelled in her musical theatre course.

There will also be EDP People's Choice, Norfolk Icon, Outstanding Contribution and Lifetime Achievement awards announced on the night.

For more about the Norfolk Arts Awards, visit www.norfolkartsawards.org

The Hostry Festival will run from October 13 to 28 at Norwich Cathedral's Hostry. For more information, visit www.hostryfestival.org