COUNTRY music duo Spur has been awarded the title of Duo of the Year at the British Country Music Awards for the second time in just three years.

Mark Hills, 33, and his cousin James Parsons, 26, of Taunton , were voted one of the top five British country duos on the road today by members of the public.

They were then chosen from the top five by a panel of music judges. Their victory marks the second time the duo has stormed the competition - the biggest of its kind in the UK - after winning the same award back in 2009.

Mr Hills said: “It was really good because with it being the biggest competition there were so many other duos that could've won.

“We've only been going seven years but I think it helped that we were so young when we started out. It definitely got us noticed.

“To win the award a second time is just great.”

Mr Hills formed Spur back in 2005 when he quit his job, called up his cousin James and said he was going into country music. James wanted in and the soon-to-be award-winning duo was born.

“I was really into country music but never had the bottle to go for it until then”, Mr Hills explained. The pair began playing in bars every Thursday night and before long country venue organisers were making special trips to watch Spur perform.

After performing at The Big W in Weston, the duo played at The Jim Silverthorn's Country Music Trade Fair and have now dedicated their lives to country music.