A NEW community radio station will launch in the Ribble Valley next year.
Ribble FM has been awarded a five year FM radio licence by media regulator Ofcom.
The community not-for-profit station will launch in 2015 and be based in Clitheroe, serving the surrounding towns and villages.
The station will employ three members of staff and recruit dozens of volunteers to provide local programmes 24 hours a day.
The team behind Ribble FM has been campaigning for a local radio station for a number of years.
Ribble FM cofounder and Whalley resident Sophie Greenwood said: “Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley have missed out on a
truly local radio station until now, and we aim to correct that.
“We’ll help bring the area even closer together with a strong emphasis on local content and popular classic hits.”
Co-founder Roy Martin, added: “Community radio enables local people to get involved with local radio, whilst maintaining a professional sound.
“We’ll be launching our online service soon whilst we look for premises to operate from, and start building the Ribble Valley’s first full time radio station.”
Nigel Evans, MP, has supported Ribble FM since day one, and previous attempts at bringing local radio to the area.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ribble FM has been awarded the licence as this will give local people more information about their area broadcast from their local community.”
Ribble FM and its Board of Trustees, including former Mayor of Clitheroe Kevin Horkin and St Mary Magdalene Assistant Curate Andrew Whitehead, are looking to secure funding for the station by applying for grants, and will work towards launching Ribble FM by the end of 2015.