In February 2006, BBC video journalists Lola Almudevar and Brady Haran filmed and edited ten episodes of real-life 'soap' Alexandra Road. They were shown on BBC Midlands Today and BBC Black Country Local TV.
On Tuesday 8th May 2007 their work won Silver at The Ruby Awards - BBC Nations & Regions' annual celebration of its television News and Current Affairs output.
Brady commented: "This award wasn't really for Midlands Today, but for the people who live on the road. Lola and I were both so impressed by all the residents, who were so open and accepting of our cameras.
"I've no doubt the fact they were so natural and 'real' on screen must have made an impression on the judges."
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to watch the episodes >>
ALEXANDRA ROAD
It looks like many other streets around Wolverhampton - but is it?
Sue the foster mum
BBC Midlands Today and Black Country Local TV have combined to tell the story of Alexandra Road.
Over 10 episodes, we're following the fortunes of various people who live along the street.
It's kind of like a soap opera - except all the characters are real and the stories are true.
Murgees
As each episode is broadcast, you can catch up with them by clicking on the video links on the right hand side of the page.
Below are introductions to some of the characters you'll be meeting.
SUE
Sue has fostered more than 60 children over the last 18 years.
Linda and her border collie
But it's still hard every time she has to let go, and the baby she's cared for over the last 13 months is about to be collected for adoption.
Meanwhile, Sue's turning to hypnotherapy in a bid to overcome her lifelong phobia of driving… but will it work?
MUGHEES
Mughees used to be a doctor in Pakistan, but gave it up for a successful career in IT.
Karen the single mum
Now he wants to break back into medicine, but it's not easy when you're in your 40s and competing for places with new graduates.
And adding to the pressure, Mughees and his wife Saneeya have a newborn baby to care for.
LINDA
Linda is a collie breeder and the dogs are the love of her life.
Jack and Camelia
But Linda has been through a difficult few years, and nearly died from a recent brain haemorrhage.
With a new outlook on life, Linda's on a quest to make her dreams her come true… and is fighting to grant her late mother's dying wish!
KAREN
Karen is Linda's sister and also lives on Alexandra Rd.
Paul, shop owner
She's a single mother with six children, and is still looking for love despite her mistrust of men.
Karen is also about to mark the anniversary of her own son's death - Karl died from a brain haemorrhage similar to the one which almost killed Linda.
JACK AND CAMELIA
The local crossing wardens help the children of Alexandra Road get to school each day.
Sue the hairdresser
But there's more to this duo than meets the eye.
Jack and Camelia are a couple, and after a freezing cold shift will often be seen walking home hand-in-hand!
PAUL
Paul runs a local shop, but it's tough competing with bigger shops and supermarkets.
Wellington the community cat!
In a bid to stay in the game, Paul's now re-designing the shop and hoping to attract more customers.
It's a hard slog and one that takes up all their time; which is why Paul wants his children to do well at school and have a better life.
SUE AT THE SALON
Sue works at the local hair salon and always looks glamorous.
Lola and Brady: the journalists
She's the first to admit she has benefitted from some medical intervention, and doesn't mind discussing her operations with interested clients.
Sue also swears by Botox and is organising a "Botox night" at the salon.
WELLINGTON
Wellington is the "community cat"!
No-one is really sure where he came from, but he moves happily from house to house, sleeping on everyone's floor and eating everyone's food.
Don't expect to see him do anything too exciting in front of the cameras though - his main passion in life seems to be sleeping.
BRADY AND LOLA
You might not see them on screen, but Lola Almudevar and Brady Haran were the video journalists who filmed and edited Alexandra Road.
They spent a few weeks visiting the road almost every day and spending time with all the "characters".
Brady became a fan of the pies sold at the local bakery, while self-confessed geek Lola just took a packed lunch each day.
