CHANNEL 4 has presented a university graduate from Wadhurst with an award for his comedy radio show.

Andy Ward, 22, of Gloucester Road, scooped the Off-Air Radio prize at the 4talent Awards in London on Thursday last week.

His show, Andy Ward's Ghost Stories, which he wrote and presented while at Keele University, won him the award.

"It is a series of unlinked stories rather than something on-running," he explained. "It is quite surreal, a little bit like the Mighty Boosh."

Mr Ward, who graduated in history and international relations at Keele in July, is now hoping to use his show's success as a springboard to work either in radio or on television.

"I am looking to move into television writing, though at this stage I am looking at all kinds of options," he said. "I was going to have a show with Channel 4's new digital radio station through E4 but they had to pull the plug on the whole idea recently."

He was given that opportunity after being selected as one of three winners from more than 1,000 entries to a comedy writing competition.

He travelled to Edinburgh to meet with executives, but unfortunately following his success the plan for Channel 4's radio venture fell through.

"It was a great experience all the same," he said. "Knowing how to pitch an idea was very useful."

Alongside his radio work, Mr Ward, who only became interested in working in comedy at university, has also begun doing stand-up.

He has been filling a number of five-minute slots at London venues, and has just signed up for a comedy night in the Pantiles on February 26.

"It is quite different because, although you go on with something prepared, you know you may have to adapt. It is sometimes funnier when you go off script. And if people think it is improvised and they are seeing something entirely unique they get more out of it."

For now he is trying his hand at different forms of comedy, but his ideal is to work with Channel Four producing work that appeals to the widest possible audience.

"I consider Channel 4 to be my big friend so, to be honest, working with the channel would be ideal. I think the channel is really leading the way in producing inoffensive comedy, and I would like my comedy to appeal to everybody."