LOYAL volunteers at Black Country Radio have been walking on air after the station picked up a major award for one of its sports shows.

The station, which is based at The Waterfront at Merry Hill, clinched a bronze prize at the National Community Radio Awards which took place at Sheffield's Hallam University.

Contesting the Sports Show of the Year category, Black Country Radio scooped their success for their exclusive coverage of the Birmingham Senior Cup Final when Stourbridge took on rivals Hednesford at Birmingham City's St Andrews ground.

Presentation was provided by the trio of Roy Felstead, Adam Parkes and Paul Jenkins.

They were competing against 77 community radio stations from across the UK who provided a total of 360 entries.

Adam Parkes, one of the stalwarts at Black Country Radio's sports coverage, said: "It's not just about the three of us. There must be over 20 unpaid volunteers providing input and commentary at sporting events across our community every week.

"We all work extremely hard to get the product on air and we've always been very well received wherever we go.

"I think all the clubs that we cover fully appreciate and understand what we are trying to do, which is to promote our local clubs.

"Everyone at the station is extremely proud of our achievement."

And just to prove that Black Country Radio has more than one string to its bow, Dan Richards was also short-listed for the Male Presenter of the Year.

Dan is the regular presenter on the Saturday Show which airs between noon and 2pm.

Although Dan didn't win top prize, his place is assured as one of the top five male presenters in the country.

Alex Totney, CEO of Black Country Radio, said: "Black Country Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, each and every day. It wouldn't be what it is without the hard work and dedication of all our members and the support we have from a range of organisations from across the Black Country."

Listeners can tune into Black Country Radio on 102.5 FM.

Black Country Radio sports presenter Adam Parkes with Karen Brookes, chairperson, and Keith McKenna, director. Pic courtesy of Halesowen Town FC.