A VOLUNTEER DJ has been nominated for an “Oscar of the airwaves”.

Katey Wallace fronts a show five days a week on community station Radio Teesdale, but will compete against DJs from national and regional stations for the Sony DAB Rising Talent award.

Miss Wallace, from South Cleatlam, near Barnard Castle, had no broadcasting experience before she started her daily lunchtime show in 2007.

She now has the station’s largest audience and regularly stands in for other DJs.

The former Staindrop School student was described by the judges as funny, original, likeable and listenable.

They said: “The dream combination: Katey is completely herself – a truly rare commodity.

Destined for great things.”

The awards ceremony, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London, on May 11, will be hosted by BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans. Miss Wallace has been nominated alongside DJs from XFM and Kerrang!

Radio.

Last year’s winner was BBC 6 Music’s George Lamb.

Miss Wallace is a 5th Dan taekwondo expert and is a full-time martial arts tutor, holding classes throughout County Durham.

“It has been crazy since we found out about this award,”

said Miss Wallace. “You don’t expect to be nominated for such a massive national competition, especially coming from such a small station.

“But it is great for everyone at Radio Teesdale and people in Teesdale, and the North- East in general. Even to get this far is just amazing.”

Station manager Peter Dixon said: “It has come as a real surprise, but a very deserved surprise.

“We didn’t bother checking who the nominees were when they were released, because we didn’t expect to get in.

“We only found out when people started sending us congratulations texts. Katey certainly has a career in broadcasting, but she is working so hard for Radio Teesdale and she is a credit to the station.”

To vote for Katey, visit sony.co.uk/risingstar