A HAMPSHIRE music festival is in the running for a top national award after its most successful year yet.

The Wickham Festival has been nominated in the Best Festival (Capacity Under 15,000) category of the prestigious Live UK Music Business Awards.

It is a fitting reward for the hugely successful event staged at Wickham last month when record crowds flocked to the picturesque site to see the likes of the Proclaimers, 10ccCC and Billy Bragg.

Box office records were smashed with more than 25,000 people flocking to see around 80 acts over four gloriously sunny days.

The hot weather saw fans drink the site dry with beer running out just before last orders on the final night – and the event has already received a record number of bookings for next year.

Other headliners included Wilko Johnson, The South, Seth Lakeman, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Tom Robinson, Kathryn Tickell, Martin Carthy and Andy Fairweather Low.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn described it as the most successful festival he had run in 25 years. Reacting to the Live UK Music Business Awards nomination, he said: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award. It is a tribute to the dozens of people who work so hard to make this festival such a success and to create its unique relaxed atmosphere and family feel.

“Although it is nice to see our efforts recognised like this, the greatest reward is seeing thousands of smiling faces – and the biggest testament to our success is that so many people come back year after year.

“We have already had a record number of people booking for next year before we have even announced a single act. They know there will be a top quality line-up and they know the atmosphere and amenities will be as good as ever.

"People regularly come from all over the world. This year we had more than 25,000 fans with not a single crime reported and we are looking forward to welcoming them back next year.

“This year has been the best festival I have put on in 25 years, record-breaking in every sense. It has really put Wickham on the map – the question now is how do we top it?”

Earlier this summer, Steve Harley, who has appeared at the festival twice in four years, told the Daily Echo: “Wickham is full of good people as well as good musicians. That is why I was genuinely delighted to be asked back.”

The www.livemusicawards.co.uk awards recognise excellence and talent among promoters, venue operators, festival organisers and agents, through to artiste managers, tour managers, show producers, brand impact and record label partnerships.

Now in its sixth year, this is the only event committed to presenting awards to the business people who drive the country’s contemporary live music industry.

The 2016 Wickham Festival is planned to take place from August 4-7. No acts have yet been confirmed.

Anyone booking by the end of September can save a third of the normal cost of a weekend ticket – a reduction of £50 on a four-day adult ticket. Contact eastfest@talk21.com for details.

Full Details of the festival and how to buy tickets can be found at Visit wickhamfestival.co.uk or see the event’s twitter feed @festivalwickham.