The station's 'Real Life' programme presented by Sara-Jane Marler showed a genuine commitment to involving disabled people in discussion of issues which affect them and improving awareness amongst the listening community.

County Sound received a prize of £1,000 courtesy of Scope sponsors Ladbrokes, to be donated to the station's preferred local disability project.

The judges also made a special commendation to Mellow 1557 AM in Colchester who had organised a significant fundraising drive for the Whizz Kids charity. A special prize of £500 from Ladbrokes was awarded to boost the total already raised by the station.

Scope's disability training specialist and award judge, Margie Woodward, said:

'We were delighted at the quality of entries for the award and congratulate both County Sound and Mellow 1557 on their achievements. One in four households includes a disabled person, many of whom use Radio a great deal, so itis vital that Commercial Radio includes in its programming the issues that affect disabled people. We hope these awards will encourage more broadcasting on disability of the high standard reached by the prize winners'

This is the second year that Scope has promoted the commercial radio Action on Disability Award. The aim of the award is to acknowledge good practice in the promotion of understanding of disability and the people it affects, by working with disabled people in the community and with the organisations which support them.

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