BBC Manchester scoops Sony Award

BBC Manchester scoops Sony Award

BBC Radio Manchester has won a prestigious news prize at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

The station scooped gold in the Breaking News Award for its coverage of rioting by Rangers fans after the Uefa Cup final in Manchester in May 2008.

The Sonys are seen as top accolade in the radio industry, with regional and national stations competing against each other.

Managing editor John Ryan said it was "an enormous tribute to the team".

Mr Ryan added: "We're here to tell the daily story of life in Greater Manchester.

"On this occasion, great reporting and presenting, combined with the authentic voices of our audience made a compelling listen in an extraordinary 24 hours."

The award ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio Two's Chris Evans at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Monday evening.

The station won for its coverage of the Rangers riot

BBC Radio Manchester's news team beat four other radio news programmes to pick up the gong, including BBC Radio Four' which was nominated for its coverage of the Mumbai attacks.

The station's coverage reflected clashes between Rangers supporters and police on the streets of Manchester, which resulted in a number of injuries and criminal damage.

About 150,000 Rangers fans descended on Manchester for the final on 14 May 2008, which the Glasgow club lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg.

Violence flared when one of the large television screens set up to allow fans without tickets to view the game failed.