A respected East Anglian journalist and trainer who has launched the careers of hundreds of young reporters is to be honoured with the naming of a special award.

Paul Durrant, former assistant editor of the Eastern Daily Press, has worked with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) over many years. The annual Paul Durrant Award for the best performance in the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) will be given to a newly-qualified journalist from the East of England.

Mr Durrant, 63, of Hellesdon, near Norwich, has terminal cancer of the oesophagus.

He said: 'It's truly humbling to discover that my industry wants to mark my death in this way.

'The only condition is that it's dropped once the next generation starts asking, 'Paul Who?'.

'I have passionately believed that proper training is the bedrock to good journalism, and that trying to uphold our values and standards – objectively, legally and ethically – is what separates the real pros from the rest.

'Whatever the platform, we need to champion our communities and challenge authority. Training and gold- standard industry qualifications give us all the confidence to do that, and hopefully go some way to restoring the public's faith and trust in believing that real journalism matters.'

The winner will receive £250 and a certificate of achievement, and the award is sponsored by Archant, publisher of the EDP and Norwich Evening News.

EDP editor-in-chief Nigel Pickover commented: 'Paul has been the foundation stone of many great careers in journalism, and this accolade by the NCTJ, sponsored by the EDP, is wholly deserved and a joy to be part of. Paul's wisdom and knowledge have helped shape careers in both his newsdesk roles and, later, as an accomplished trainer. On top of that, he is one of life's good guys and I'm so thrilled to help found this honour in my tenure as editor.'

Mr Durrant is married to Christine and has three children and two grandchildren.