Lytham St Annes could have its own community radio station

Organisers have been encouraged by a brief survey already carried out via social media which highlighted some 40 people were interested in volunteering to be involved – and the hunt is now on for premises.

The aim is for it to be broadcast via the internet to begin with but then to apply for a full FM community license when they become available.

The team of 15 currently working on the project is led by St Annes resident Colin Tanner, who has spent more than three decades involved in radio, mainly in the Birmingham area.

He said: “Lytham St Anne’s Radio will be a community station in the true sense – run by volunteers from the local community with full training. Our strapline is ‘By the people, for the people’

“It will run seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with live presented shows all day every day and mostly auto music during the night.

“I have worked in radio for 30 years, at one time running the biggest community radio station in Birmingham. I have worked on or set up another 10 stations, so you could say it’s in my blood.

“I moved here 18 months ago and straight away noticed the lack of a community radio station and decided to work on changing that.

“We had been working under the radar for the last 18 months, but since going public, we have been delighted at the absolutely overwhelming response. There seems to be a real appetite locally for a local community radio station.

“Most of the team have worked in radio in one way or another over the years – presenting, production, sales, fund-raising and other aspects.

“The brief survey we asked the community to complete was a big success with over 150 people giving us positive feedback about the idea and more than 40 people offering to volunteer.”

Anyone who can help with suitable premises can contact Colin at [email protected]