Radio

Local favourites in the line up for ‘hyperlocal’ broadcast

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

A LINE-UP of well-known presenters has been drawn up for the launch of a brand new Bideford radio station.

Former Lantern and Heart DJ James Chapple will host a daily breakfast show from 6-10am on Bideford FM – The Voice 87.7, which launches on Friday, January 21.

Also on board for the 28-day broadcast are Ian Starling from 10am, Martin King from 1pm and Paul Andrews for the drive home from 4-7pm.

Many other well-known voices making a return to the North Devon area include former Lantern FM breakfast presenters Spanky and PJ. Local ITV news presenter Seth Conway will be stopping by to make a number of cameo appearances.

Bideford FM – The Voice 87.7 will be the third in a series of Restricted Service Licences (RSLs) designed to provide “local radio” in different areas of North Devon.

It will follow similar successful 28-day broadcasts from a new studio in Barnstaple Square. The Voice 106 received widespread support from listeners in the Barnstaple area when it aired for 28 days in November, while Festive FM, which finished broadcasting on Monday, enjoyed similar success.

Ian Starling, who launched the Network North Devon radio campaign on the internet following the relocation of Heart Barnstaple to Exeter in the summer, said the plan was to give Bideford a radio station they could call their own.

“The station is aiming to be hyperlocal within Bideford, but will be streamed on the internet for those who cannot pick up the FM broadcasts,” he said.

“Weekday evening shows will include a feature on the local music scene. Other features will involve local business, charities and community groups – all getting involved with programmes.”

The new station is already broadcasting a series of preview programmes online at www.thevoicefm.co.uk

For more station information contact Ian Starling on (01271) 410106, 07972 594573 or email ian.starling@thevoicefm.co.uk