YOUNG radio presenters are set to go live from October 9 to 11 as Burnley's Ivy Bank High School's radio station is back on the air.

They will be broadcasting to an estimated 20,000 people in East Lancashire and have a guest list that any professional radio station would be proud to boast.

Being interviewed live will be GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly, author, journalist and TV presenter Lord Melvyn Bragg and Gill Tookey, the founder and chief executive of the National Youth Ballet.

Youngsters have also prerecorded interviews with the United States' ambassador to Great Britain, Philip Lader, and Burnley-born controller of BBC1 Peter Salmon. They will be interviewing Tony Blair's press secretary, Alastair Campbell, and TV presenter Timmy Mallett before broadcasting begins.

The team of ten presenters from years nine and ten are led by "veterans" Emma Burrows and Helen Campbell, who presented last year.

They have gained sponsorship from HSBC Bank and have practical support from some of Burnley's major employers.

Michael Watson, school development officer, said: "In each of the last two years the school has had a restricted service licence and has received massive praise for the professionalism of their broadcasts. Last year Blue Peter star Katy Hill appeared as a guest.

"Most of the funding is derived from the sales of advertising with local companies."