PREPARATIONS to get Chorley's first community radio station ready to hit the airwaves are well under way.
The station's broadcasting studio is being built at Chorley Community Centre, on Railway Street, and will be ready for the big launch later this month.
A test broadcast will be carried out next week, but listeners will have to wait until after the C
hristmas lights switch-on on November 24 before they can tune in to a range of music and talk programmes.
Adrian Ross, head of programming, said: "We're aiming to get the studio finished this week. The equipment is very professional and we're going to be as high-tech as everybody else.
"There are about 100 people involved at the moment and they're all volunteers, but we're still hoping more people will join us. We are going to be mainly aimed at a younger audience but we will cater for all tastes and ages.
"For example, there will be music programmes on in the evenings and talk programmes at the weekend while we're also looking to showcase Chorley's musical talent.
"We're the first community radio station in Chorley and it's a very important step.
"For the past five years a lot of people have been working very hard to make this happen and we hope people will like what we do.
"We want to get as many involved as possible."
The station has been backed by Chorley funnyman and Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey, who is its patron.
Chorley Council has been in talks with Spikey to see if he is available to launch the station on November 24, but has not yet received confirmation.
Chorley FM was set up in 2000 and had a number of short-term licenses before it was given a five-year licence by broadcasting regulator Ofcom in August last year.
It will broadcast on 102.8FM with its transmission mast based at St George's Church.
Visit www.chorleyfm.org for programmes, photos and downloads.
