DI BURTON, managing director of Harrogate-based Cicada Public Relations Limited, has been short-listed for a top award.

The Institute of Public Relations Excellence Awards recognise and reward best practice in public relations throughout the country, and acknowledge personal and team achievement at the highest professional level. Di has been short-listed in the individual working in education and training category. The judging procedures are rigorous and test the impact of the practice of public relations on society as a whole.

This year the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) received more than 500 entries for the 19 award categories, a record and an increase of 50 per cent on last year.

All the short-listed candidates will be interviewed by their category judges this month and in June at the IPR Headquarters in London.

Colin Farrington, IPR director general and secretary to the judges said: "These awards are about raising industry standards and sharing best practice. The quality of entries is once again very impressive, reflecting a vibrant and innovative industry. Reaching the final shortlist is a real achievement, and Di Burton is to be congratulated."

The winners will be announced at the Excellence Awards presentation dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London on Monday, July 5. The host will be Janet Street-Porter, Editor at Large of the Independent on Sunday.

Updated: 11:24 Tuesday, May 04, 2004