Andover Sound has been named as the best radio station of its kind in the South of England.

It's won the Radio Academy Nations and Regions Award for Radio station of the year and will now go forward as a finalist in the Sony Awards, the radio Industry Oscars.

Ian Axton, Managing Director of Andover Sound, said: "This is a very special award. The judges are all respected broadcasters and for them to name Andover Sound as the best station of its kind in the Southern England is a real honour.

"It's a tribute to the whole team who have worked so incredibly hard to make Andover Sound the success it is. Andover is a special place and we're privileged to serve it."

One of the judges, Matt Hopper, has been broadcasting in the South for over 30 years. He says Andover has a station to be proud of: "From the first few minutes of listening to Andover Sound from the news bulletin through to the first link in the breakfast show it was apparent that Andover Sound is Andover. Andover Sound reflects everything important that's going on and actually made me want to go to Andover!"

"I think Andover Sound's listeners should be extremely proud. They've got one of the best stations in the country and the best station of its size in this area and that's just been proved."

The judges comments about Andover Sound's entry were: "It is clear that this station has made a real connection with its community. For a station of its size it is impressively professional. This is due to the quality of the station imaging and production values. The message in the on air content is clear: whatever is happening in the local area, you would hear on this radio station.

"Their local news coverage is outstanding as is their ability to adapt their programming to reflect and respond to these. Listener interaction and a mature, responsible approach to sensitive local news stories is a real strength and something larger stations could certainly aspire to. An excellent entry."

It is the second major radio award that Andover Sound has won after picking up a New York Festivals Radio Award in July 2009 for its news coverage.

Click play to listen to a short demo of Andover Sound's entry for this year's awards.

Here are the photos from the night:

Radio Academy South chair Sean Street with Andover Sound's Managing Director Ian Axton

Ian Axton and the Andover Sound team collect the award

From left to right: Ian Axton, Faye Marsh, Gary Haberfield, Rob Hawkins, Matt Hopper (award judge), Ben McGrail, Steve Randall, Adrian Clarkson, Shirley Swain.

Thanks to Gordon Wray for the photographs.

Andover Sound launched in May 2008

From everyone at Andover Sound to all our listeners - thank you for your support and being such an important part of creating what is now officially one of the best radio stations in the UK