SOUTH coast radio station Ocean FM is being rebranded as female friendly Heart FM next month.

It is part of a shake-up of local radio across Hampshire acquired by broadcast giant Global Radio in its takeover of GCap Media.

Global said the change on June 22 will bring more exclusive showbiz interviews and access to world’s biggest artists and bands through national programming from London.

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Existing local programmes, including the breakfast and drivetime shows, will be maintained serving up local news, traffic and travel reports, hosted by local presenters.

Breakfast show host Paul Bunker said: “This is fantastic news for Ocean FM. Being passionate for Hampshire and West Sussex, our local audience and advertisers will remain at the core of our radio station and we are looking forward to becoming part of the Heart family."

Heart FM was launched in the Midlands in 1994 and has grown to become the UK's biggest commercial radio brand.

Ocean FM, which reaches 177,000 listeners each week, will become one of 32 stations to carry the Heart brand.

Sister station Power FM changed its name to Galaxay South Coast in November.