THE hard work that more than 30 volunteers put into running Devizes' Fantasy Radio has been rewarded after they were given a five-year extension to its broadcasting licence on Wednesday.

This announcement by OFCOM, which issues radio licences, means that residents of the town and the surrounding areas will be able to enjoy the service the community radio station provides at least until 2022.

This news coincides with the radio station, which is based in the Corn Exchange, celebrating the fact that it has broadcasted full time on 97FM for five years.

Director Phil Dawson said: "We have worked hard over the last five years to build our audience and support our community. We are looking forward to continuing our efforts for the next five years and beyond.

"We are proud of what we have achieved over the years. It is a real team effort and one that has really grown in the community. Early on a few people questioned why we were here but now we are an established part of the town."

Local news is featured throughout the day, along with travel, sport and entertainment updates, and details of local events. As well as regular programmes, it broadcasts a variety of specialist music genres too.

Fantasy Radio, which is run by 30 volunteers who commit more than 150 hours per week, first began with a series of short term licences and was granted a full-time 24-hour licence in 2012 but officially started in 1995 as a short-term broadcast on 1386 KHz AM.