THE organiser of two major music festivals in the south picked up two awards when at a national festival awards ceremony.

Once again Camp Bestival was named as best family festival at the 11th annual UK Festival Awards, picking up the gong for the fourth time in the festival’s six year history.

Its organiser Rob da Bank, who also runs Bestival on the Isle of Wight, also snapped up the outstanding contribution to festivals’ award – presented to him by Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis.

Rob said he was “honoured” to have received both awards at the Camden Roundhouse in London.

“We’ve been going to that award show for a decade now. We have had quite a good history.

“To get this award for outstanding contribution to festival, it seems strange. At the age of 41 it feels like I’m just starting out and still got a lot to offer. It was great to stand up there and get the award from Michael Eavis.

“It was a wonderful surprise to get it from him. I’ve known him over the years but you can’t underestimate how much of an influence that man has had on my life.

Between him and [celebrated music critic] John Peel he’s really shaped a lot of my life.”