Representatives from the Armed Forces Memorial and the National Memorial Arboretum attended the ceremony on Saturday night which was broadcast live on BBC1. They shared the red carpet with celebrity guests, including boxing star Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton, TV and radio presenter Kirsty Gallagher, Anne Robinson, Amanda Mealing (Connie in Holby City), Scott Maslen (Jack Branning in EastEnders), and pop rock band McFly at the star-studded awards show.

A record number of public votes were cast in this year’s annual National Lottery Awards and the Armed Forces Memorial received an incredible show of public support throughout all stages of the competition.

Accepting the award from TV presenter Anne Robinson, Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt, Chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust, said: "We are all utterly delighted that the new Armed Forces Memorial has won this Award. The Memorial has benefited enormously from Lottery funding and allowed us to build a truly inspirational Memorial to all members of our Armed Forces who have been killed on duty or terrorism since the Second World War.

He continued: "We have received tremendous support throughout all stages of the competition and on behalf of The Armed Forces Memorial, I would like to thank everyone who voted for us."

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects with winners determined by popular vote. The Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects - both large and small - make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them.

Some press and web coverage of the announcement is available from the links below.

BBC News
Birmingham Post
Lottery Good Causes press release

Blog spots
Aquila Victrix
Pink Sunshine

Liam O'Connor (Armed Forces Memorial architect) and Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt (chairman of AFM trustees) collect their award.