A WINCHESTER hospital radio station could soon be ruling the airwaves in the city.

Winchester Radio has been awarded a community radio licence by communications regular Ofcom, which means it can serve the city and the wider district.

Currently the volunteer-led station which is based at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital plays for 24 hours a day for patients and staff.

But with the licence people from Winchester and from surrounding villages within a 5km radius will be able to pick the station up on an FM frequency from 2018 onwards.

The station which is a charity, will now be organising planning permission for and to install various equipment like a transmitter and put a management structure in place to cope with the change, and also appeal for more help.

The history of the service dates back to 1968, and this marks a new chapter in its timeline.

Trustee of the charity Nigel Dallard, 51, from Badger Farm, has been involved with Winchester Radio since 1987.

Mr Dallard said: “It feels fantastic, we worked very hard putting in the application together and we got an awful lot of support from across the city.”

“The whole aim of the charity is health and well being and improving the health and well being of people living in and around Winchester.

“We hope we can do our best to help people stay healthy, active and engaged members of the local community and try to keep people out of hospital and living independently.”

Chairman of Winchester Radio, Anna O’Brien said: “I’d like to express my thanks to my fellow trustees of Winchester Radio for all their time, research and hard work in putting the business case together for the community radio bid; the rest of our wonderful volunteers for their enthusiasm and continued commitment; and all the many people, charities, businesses and organisations who supported our application, especially Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“We have a huge amount of work to do over the coming months to bring our vision of local radio for Winchester, from Winchester, by Winchester to realisation but we hope the people of Winchester will get behind us and support us”

Winchester Radio is not recruiting new volunteers right now, but anyone wishing to assist the charity – particularly with fundraising, should call and leave a message on 01962 250143. To find out more visit winchesterradio.uk.