Orange to stop sponsoring Orange Prize

This year's award will be the last to be sponsored by the mobile phone company

The £30,000 Women's Prize for Fiction is awarded annually to women writers. The prize money is anonymously endowed, and will not be affected by the sponsors' withdrawal. Kate Mosse, co-founder and honorary director of the prize (pictured), has made a statement on the website to say that they are in discussion with potential new brand partners.

' I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work of all those at Orange, past and present, for their investment, passion, support and never ending enthusiasm,' she wrote.

'This is the end of an era, but no major arts project should stand still. We are very much looking forward to developing the Prize for the future and working with a new sponsor to ensure the Prize grows and plays an even more significant part in the years to come.'

This year's Orange Prize will be awarded on 30 May.

Website: www.orangeprize.co.uk