BURY could have its own local radio station by the end of this year.

The Radiocommunications Agency have today (January 16) advertised for companies to put in bids for a radio licence to provide a small-scale local service in North and East Greater Manchester.

Firms have until May to put their bids for one of the two frequencies available to cover Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham and/or Tameside.

Leading the field are Bury Tower FM, who have carried out a number of one-month trial broadcasts in the area since 1993.

Their managing director, Julian Hotchkiss said: "Getting our area on the map was the first stage of the battle.

"It is only by virtue of the fact that Tower FM has carried out so many successful trial broadcasts that the radio authority has finally acknowledged that this area needs its own radio station."

The successful applicant should be announced this summer, and it is up to them when the station starts.

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