STARS from hit series such as Vera, The Paradise and Hebburn are expected at the region’s biggest television awards.

The Royal Television Society holds its North East and Border regional awards on March 1 at the Hilton Hotel, in Gateshead.

More than 400 guests from the television industry are expected at the ceremony, hosted by BBC Breakfast business presenter Steph McGovern.

Among the awards to be presented on the night is an RTS Outstanding Achievement award to Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais, creators of The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

Graeme Thompson, chairman of the RTS North East and the Border Centre, said: "This is the biggest night of the year for our region’s television and media professionals.

"It has been a bumper year for network television production. Judges have also heaped praise on local production teams working on news, current affairs, on-line content and games design."

Awards up for grabs on the night include honours for Drama, Performance, Factual, Innovation, Journalism and Technical Excellence as well as a string of student awards.