ORGANISERS behind a community radio station hope to get it on air next year.

The goal comes as directors of Rossendale Radio Ltd announced Ofcom had awarded them a license for a new station for the Valley.

Once launched, the radio station would keep residents updated with community news and events, as well as provide a range of music.

Chairman of directors Peter Sweetmore said he hopes the radio station will be live by winter 2018.

He said: “The directors of Rossendale Radio Ltd are delighted to announce that today Ofcom has awarded a licence for a new Community Radio Station for the area.

‘It is the best Christmas present the community could wish for.

“It has been a tense wait since the bid was submitted in July, but we are delighted that we have now been giving the green light to hit the airwaves afresh.

“We have spent the last year doing much of the preparation but the real hard work starts now.

“We look forward to the whole community getting behind us and getting as many people involved as possible.

“We are hopeful that we will be on the air in 2018.’

“We will update you regularly from the New Year and look forward to your involvement in 2018.”

It is not the first time the station has served the community, with it airing between May 2010 and March 2012, until it handed its licence back to regulators after facing financial difficulty.

Currently, the radio station is in the process of trying to find a new premises to be based from.

The radio station has appealed for volunteers to come forward to help run the station.

To become a volunteer at the radio station, contact Peter Sweetmore on 07792938179 or email petesweetmore@hotmail.co.uk

For more information, people can follow @RossendaleRadio or like the Rossendale Radio Facebook page.