PATIENTS at three local hospitals enjoy one of the best charity radio stations in the country- and that's official.

Auckland Hospital Radio, which broadcasts to Bishop Auckland General, Tindale Crescent and Weardale Community Hospitals, has won a top award.

The service, which is run entirely by volunteers, beat almost 200 other hospital radio stations to win a Highly Commended Award in the special event category of the national Hospital Radio Awards.

Station manager Craig Robinson was delighted to walk away with a prize from the first competition the service has entered. He said: "We were all thrilled with the award, we do work hard to provide the most varied entertaining and informative station we can.

"It is brilliant to win because it acts as recognition to our dedicated volunteers and hopefully will encourage even more patients to listen to us."

The prize was awarded for overall service, highlighted by a special broadcast from the last-ever garden party to be held at Tindale Crescent Hospital, which is to merge with the new general hospital.

Judges said: "Auckland Hospital radio is an excellent example of the work of hospital radio in the local community. Patients served by the station enjoy a range of programmes that really provide a personal and very relevant service for them during their stay in hospital."

Mr Robinson added: "The garden party was quite a landmark day and we wanted to share it with patients and staff in Bishop Auckland and Weardale Hospital in Stanhope."

The station is set for an even brighter future as a new state-of-the-art studio has been created in the new Bishop Auckland General Hospital, which will open later this summer.

Mr Robinson added: "We will be able to offer a better service to everyone from the children's to the geriatric wards so they never feel bored."

To become a hospital radio station volunteer - broadcasting or working behind the scenes for a few hours a week - call (01388) 455453.