Ham radio fans are celebrating Norfolk Amateur Radio Club's winning of a prestigious Club of the Year award from the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

The award, in the 'large club' category, was presented at the RSGB's annual Hamfest event in Newark and recognised the hard work the club puts into promoting the hobby and encouraging newcomers.

Steve Nichols, Narc's public relation officer, said the club's members were thrilled with the result.

He said: 'We were very pleased to win the award, which recognises the massive amount of work that goes on within the club to promote the hobby and provide radio communications training.'

The club has more than 100 members, a history dating back to the 1950s and has an active calendar of talks, events, special event stations and courses.

Its activities include putting on special event radio stations to celebrate events such as inventor Guglielmo Marconi's birthday and Railways on the Air, plus 'Bright Sparks' events for youngsters who are interested in electronics.

The club was also involved in helping Norfolk schools made radio contact with astronaut Tim Peake onboard the International Space Station in February. The club provided a radio communications workshop before the event and has also helped some of the youngsters get their amateur radio licences.

The club meets at 7pm on Wednesdays in the Sixth Form Common Room at the City of Norwich School, with proceedings starting at 7.45pm.

The programme alternates weekly between talks or club challenges, and informal meetings with Morse tuition, electronic construction and Bright Sparks events.

For more information about the club, visit www.norfolkamateurradio.org