WARMINSTER Community Radio scooped two gold awards at a national ceremony on Saturday, September 10.

Long-serving Station Director Barry Mole was named as the Volunteer of the Year, taking the gold in a category that recognised the work of people in community radio across the UK, while the station’s General Election Debate also secured a Gold Award.

Thirteen individuals were nominated for Volunteer of the Year from all corners of the UK with five shortlisted to attend the ceremony.

On receiving the award, Mr Mole said: “It is a great honour to receive this great honour in return for doing for what I consider to be a great honour.

“I have felt it a privilege to develop and form a radio station for my town and to pass on my enthusiasm for what we do to others.”

The WCR General Election Debate took place in May 2015 and was the first event of its kind in South West Wiltshire.

Station Manager Andrew Robinson said: “News and current affairs has always been a particular passion of mine so a debate was something I really wanted to try in Warminster.

“We didn’t know if it was going to be a success but the event had the support of all five of South West Wiltshire’s candidates and the public who turned out to ask their questions.

“The aim was to give the people of Warminster a voice during the General Election campaign and it is a real honour to have that recognised.

“With regards to Barry, I am very proud that he has been named Volunteer of the Year.

“I think it is a common misconception that WCR’s presenters and management team are paid employees when in reality all of our personnel volunteer their time for no monetary reward.”

The radio station’s production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was also recognised at the awards ceremony, picking up Bronze in the Arts and Creative Radio category.

The Community Radio Awards took place on Saturday, September 10 at Birmingham City University and also included categories such as Station of the Year and Community Development Project of the Year.