Devizes' own community radio station, Fantasy Radio, has had the thumbs up from the communications watchdog Ofcom and will hit the airwaves permanently next Wednesday.

Phil Dawson and his team are already conducting test transmissions on 97FM and are ready to go live on Leap Year Day, February 29.

Mr Dawson said: “It does mean we can only celebrate our birthday once every four years but it is a memorable day for a memorable occasion.”

Mr Dawson, the owner of Poulshot-based Ginger Music recording studios, launched Fantasy Radio in 1995 as a 50th birthday present to himself. The station broadcast on 28-day licences twice a year.

The success of the temporary licences led Mr Dawson and his son Tom to apply for a permanent community radio licence and it was granted at the end of last year.

After an appeal for new talent through the Gazette, Mr Dawson is now able to rely on a heavyweight team of DJs.

Mike Murphy, who broadcasts under the name Mike Hart, is a former police officer who has been with Fantasy Radio since its early days. He specialises in country and western music. He said: “I have been a rock ’n’ roll fan since the 1950s but I got into country music about 15 years ago after my youngest daughter went to live in Texas.

“I’ve been with Fantasy Radio since it started and am now looking forward, not only to our permanent 97FM transmission, but also on the Internet.”

Brian Justice is the new kid on the block. He was a DJ in London’s West End and started an in-house radio station in a London department store. He moved to Wilsford five years ago.

Mr Dawson will present the breakfast show each morning from 7am, followed by Fantasy Juke Box. Packed Lunch from noon will be presented by Katy Maw, Paul Sysum, Brian Justice and others while Alan Dee takes the helm from 2pm.

Ben Williams presents the Drive Show from 5pm. Helen Mason presents Love Train from 10pm.