Birmingham Airport has been recognised for its community work and sustainability efforts after winning two awards at this year's Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards.

The airport, known as BHX, took home the Community Builder and Sustainability Trailblazer awards at the annual ceremony, which celebrates businesses demonstrating exceptional commitment to the region.

BHX was announced as a finalist in both categories in June before securing the wins in front of nearly 400 guests at the awards ceremony on Friday, September 11.

The Community Builder award recognised the airport's charitable and community-focused work over the past year, particularly its partnership with Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Over the last 18 months, BHX has raised more than £200,000 for the charity through fundraising events including a charity dinner, Race the Plane, an abseil challenge and the Runway Fun Run.

The funds are supporting healthcare services for children and families across the region, including those in Solihull.

The airport also operates the Birmingham Airport Community Trust Fund, which provides support to local organisations, including groups based in Solihull.

Staff have additionally contributed more than 750 volunteering hours over the past year.

Meanwhile, the Sustainability Trailblazer award recognised progress made through the airport's sustainability and infrastructure programmes.

Central to this was the installation of a new 6.8MWp solar photovoltaic array comprising 12,600 panels.

The project now supplies up to 20 per cent of the airport's annual electricity demand and has, at times during the summer, generated enough power to run the entire site.

According to the airport, the installation has already delivered 1,650 tonnes of verified carbon savings and helped avoid £2.4 million in electricity costs.

Ahead of construction, airport staff visited residents in Marston Green to provide information about the project, while the decision to locate the solar array on a grass bund was designed to minimise its visual impact.

Tom Denton, Head of Sustainability at Birmingham Airport, said: "We're really proud to have taken home both awards this year.

"The recognition gives a massive boost to our team and reminds us that the hard work we all put in is not going unnoticed

"We've made a lot of progress over the last year in terms of making headway on our net-zero goal for 2033 and building real relationships with our community by providing support where we recognise it's needed.

"There's still plenty to do, but we're determined to keep that momentum going."