SWINDON’S favourite community radio DJ has been handed a winner’s certificate at a swanky awards bash in New York City.

Dave Woods, chief reporter at Swindon 105.5 and presenter of the popular Weekend WakeUp show on Saturday mornings, has spent the past week living it large in the Big Apple as an entrant in the 2017 International Radio Program Awards.

Remarkably, 49-year-old Dave, who lives in Gorse Hill, was the first volunteer community radio DJ to enter such a competition.

Sadly he just missed out on a trophy, but managed to pick up a special winner award.

Speaking from New York, Dave said: "Being the first ever community radio station from the UK to reach the finals has been such an honour.

“Attending the awards showcasing the top programmes across the globe is testament to the quality of programmes Swindon 105.5 produce and I am rather humble to be included in this year’s New York Festival Radio Awards and the first ever volunteer to pick up such an accolade.”

The swanky awards ceremony, held in the Manhattan Penthouse on Fifth Avenue, honours programming from stations, networks and independent producers around the globe.

Dave said: “I was quite nervous beforehand as I was there on my own. But it was really interesting to hear people’s stories about the programmes they make and it was very inspiring.

“I was very proud to come away with something and also very humbled at meeting so many talented people.”

Dave’s entry, Lydiard: Past, Present and Future, was broadcast last September as a special edition of the Swindon 105.5’s regular daily morning programme, Roundabout Swindon.

The hour-long show, which was researched, edited, produced and presented by Dave, centred on Lydiard Park and the history of the St John family.

He reported on the church’s lottery bid to restore rare medieval wall paintings and gave listeners an insight into a part of Lydiard Park they may never have otherwise known about.

Dave left for New York on Saturday morning and will return to the UK on Thursday morning.

After the ceremony he spent a couple of days site seeing and taking in the East Coast summer air.