We're all switched on to Swindon (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

We're all switched on to Swindon

In tune with the town Ricki HuntSWINDON... AND PROUD OF IT: FOUR companies will be fighting for the right to set up a new radio station in Swindon.

And each has backed the Adver's Swindon and Proud of it initiative, saying they want to give local people a voice.

Nominations for the new FM commercial radio licence for the Swindon area have now closed and the four contenders are Moonraker FM, Now FM, Radio Swindon and Swindon FM.

More details of the applications will be revealed in the next 10 days and radio watchdog Ofcom is set to announce the winner later this year.

Members of the public will have the chance to make comments on the different proposals.

Ricki Hunt, managing director of Swindon FM, said: "Four is fewer than we expected. We had been made aware that there might be eight applicants, so this is a pleasant surprise.

"From what we understand the other bidders are going for a similar type of station to our existing DAB output, which proves there is a need for our format in this market place.

"The reason we set up in the first place is that we are very proud of Swindon and what it has got here so we think this campaign's a great idea.

"We think Swindon really needs to be shouting out about all of the things it has going on."

Brian Lister is project manager at Now FM, part of the Local Radio Company.

"The Evening Advertiser's campaign is a great idea, and we very much want to support it," he said. "All the way through our application it talks about us wanting to speak up for Swindon and support everything that is good about the new Swindon."

The Local Radio Company runs Spire FM in Salisbury and 3TR in Warminster.

Philip Bond, of Moonraker FM, said: "We definitely back the Evening Advertiser's campaign.

"I'm from Swindon and many of our key professionals live in the area. Anything which supports Swindon, we are in favour of.

"We recognise the character of Swindon, which is a stand-alone community in Wiltshire and has different needs from the rest of the community."

Jon Hewson, of Radio Swindon, which is owned by a company that has eight other radio stations across the country, said: "We think the Adver's campaign's a great idea and we just want to provide a really good local radio station for the town."

An announcement on the winning bid is not expected for several months.

Members of the public can send their views to commercialradio@ofcom.org.uk.

Gareth Bethell