York Hospital Radio scooped a silver medal in the prestigious 2003 National Hospital Radio Awards.

The station, which broadcasts 24 hours a day on the wards of York Hospital and celebrates its 40th birthday next year, was awarded silver in the UK Station of the Year category at the awards ceremony on Saturday.

The station was also highly commended by the judges in the Best Speech Package category.

The National Hospital Radio Awards are run annually by the UK Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) to recognise the best in hospital radio, and are a showcase for the highest technical and artistic standards in hospital broadcasting.

The awards were presented in seven categories: Station of the Year, Best Male Presenter and Best Female Presenter, Best Special Event Broadcast, Best Station Identification, Best Programme Trailer, and Best Speech Package.

UK Station of the Year was won by Auckland Hospital Radio, in Bishop Auckland.

The 2003 award ceremony took place on Saturday at the HBA's Spring Conference in Slough, Berkshire. The award ceremony was compered by the Vice President of Disney Television, Paul Robinson, and attended by over 300 delegates and guests.

Updated: 12:05 Monday, March 31, 2003