Margate Masters was awarded 'best event on the national beach tour' at the Volleyball England Awards, held recently in Bournemouth.

The event, organised by the sports development team at Thanet council, beat off competition from Weymouth, Sandbanks, Skegness and Great Yarmouth to pick up the prestigious award for the second year in a row.

The award, voted for by players and officials, took into account a number of factors, including the quality of the venue, interest of spectators, the local area, quality of accommodation and the overall success of the event itself.

Margate Masters was a free event running from July 9-11 and saw some of the UK's top beach volleyball players compete on the Main Sands in front of nearly 5,000 people across the weekend.

Richard Callicott, president of Volleyball England, said: "As London 2012 approaches, the challenge is to raise the standard of domestic beach volleyball. Thanks to Margate and everyone involved, it's encouraging that the organisation of our beach tournaments is improving year-on-year.

"I'd like to congratulate everyone at Margate for their award. I know it takes lots of hard work and that's rewarded during the event itself. The standards of players, officials and organisers demonstrated that Margate is now setting the benchmark for others to step up to."

Cllr Martin Wise, cabinet member for environmental services at Thanet council, added: "Winning this award for the second year in a row is an incredible achievement and reaffirms what an amazing job our sports development team did this summer.

"Attracting 5,000 people to this event is not only a reflection of the quality of the event itself but is also a great example of what Margate has to offer on a national arena."