Classic FM was named UK Station of the Year in the 25th anniversary Sony Radio Academy Awards.

John Peel and Chris Evans were among the other big winners on the most prestigious night in the radio calendar.

Classic FM beat competition from Radio 1 and Radio 2 for the title.

In a special prize to mark the awards' 25th year, Peel was named the most influential radio star of the past 25 years.

The star, who died of a heart attack in 2004, won the Broadcasters' Broadcaster Award, voted for by fellow DJs and industry bosses.

His award was accepted by his widow, Sheila Ravenscroft. Other nominees included Sir Terry Wogan and the late Alistair Cooke.

Evans beat Jonathan Ross to be crowned Music Radio Personality of the Year.

And his Radio 2 drivetime show won the Entertainment Award - snatching it away from Radio 1 rival and breakfast show host Chris Moyles.

Evans was delighted with his double win, which he dedicated to his fiancee.

He told the audience: "I really didn't expect this. I honestly wouldn't have minded if I didn't win, but I really love the fact that I have won."

Radio 1 star Colin Murray was named Music Broadcaster of the Year.

Radio 4's Today programme was a double winner - it scooped the Breakfast Show Award and News Journalist of the Year for presenter John Humphrys.

Paul Gambaccini and Sir Terry Wogan co-hosted the ceremony at the Grosvenor House in London's Park Lane.

Presenters included Jamelia, Natasha Bedingfield, Katie Derham, Carol Vorderman, Melinda Messenger and Blue Peter's Konnie Huq.

Mark Radcliffe won the Music Programme Award for his Radio 2 show.

Radio 4 picked up awards for comedy, drama and speech programmes.

The prize for best on-air competition went to Christian O'Connell's Virgin Radio phone-in Who's Calling Christian?

O'Connell challenged listeners to persuade a celebrity to call the show - and succeeded in getting Prime Minister Tony Blair on air.

A controversial DJ who said Iranian hostage Faye Turney deserved to be decapitated was honoured with the award for lifetime achievement award.

Tony Butler sparked outrage recently when he aired his views on his BBC West Midlands show.

The veteran broadcaster told listeners that women should not serve in the armed forces and declared: "If she gets her head chopped off, it will serve her right."

Butler, 76, later apologised and said his "words came out wrong".

Among the audience was newsreader Moira Stuart, who is at the centre of a media storm after she was sidelined by BBC bosses.

One of the biggest cheers of the night came when Sir David Frost, presenting the News Journalist of the Year Award, said: "Next year I hope this will be the Moira Stuart News Journalist of the Year Award.