Station back on the air (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Station back on the air

MOONRAKER FM is set to hit Wiltshire airwaves again in what could be the last trial before the station gets a permanent licence.

The radio station proved a success when it was last trialled broadcasting from Chippenham, and is due to start a second trial, this time from Wiltshire College, Trowbridge, from March 6.

Paul Davis, who presents the weekday breakfast show, said: "The essence of Moonraker FM is that it's a local station for local people in north and west Wiltshire."

The new station will have bigger premises and a fully equipped newsroom at the college and will give media students the chance to experience working on a professional radio station.

Jonathan Hewat, the station's head of broadcasting, said: "There is nothing like the benefit of experiencing work in a newsroom, gathering stories which then go out to a large audience."

The station has attracted sponsorship from ASDA in Trowbridge and from Causeway Saab of Chippenham.

Its broadcasts can be heard on 106.8FM from March 6 to April 2 in Trowbridge, Melksham, Calne, Devizes, Westbury, Corsham, Lacock and the boarders of Chippenham.

Chief executive Ian Pugh is preparing the application for a full time licence, which he hopes to submit to Ofcom in May.