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14|06|07

Ofcom awards five new community radio licences

Ofcom today announces the award of five new community radio licences.

Community radio is a new tier of radio which complements the mix of services already provided by the BBC and commercial radio sectors. Community radio services typically cover a small geographical area and are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community of interest.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences in the following areas in Northern Ireland and Scotland:

• Derry/Londonderry
• Aldergrove and Antrim
• Ballykinler
• Holywood
• Badenoch & Strathspey

The new community radio licensees in each of these areas are:

Drive FM (Derry/Londonderry)
Contact: Richard Moore, St Josephs Avenue, Derry/Londonderry BT48 6TH
Tel: 02871 269898 or 07967 373359
E-mail: richard.moore@childrenincrossfire.org Website: www.drivefm.com

Drive FM will act as a voice of the community and aim to forward the cause of good community relations. It will provide a forum for debate on local issues, training opportunities and provide entertainment.

Aldergrove and Antrim FM (Aldergrove and Antrim)
Contact: Group Captain David J Stubbs, RAF Aldergrove, BFPO 808
Tel: 02894 421301 E-mail: aldergroveantrim@bfbs.com

A community radio service for British soldiers, sailors, airmen, officers, and their families as well as associated civilians living and working at RAF Aldergrove and Masereen Barracks and the surrounding Aldergrove and Antrim communities.

Ballykinler FM (Ballykinler)
Contact: Mr Philip Bullock, Station Staff Officer, Abercorn Barracks, Ballykinler
BFPO 805
Tel: 02844 610138 E-mail: ballykinler@bfbs.com

A community radio service for British soldiers, sailors, airmen, officers, and their families as well as associated civilians living and working at the Abercorn Barracks and in the surrounding Ballykinler area.

Holywood FM (Holywood, Co Down)
Contact: Lieutenant Colonel Richard F Rafferty, Commander Recruiting, Palace Barracks, Holywood BFPO 806
Tel: 02890 425717 E-mail: holywood@bfbs.com

A community radio service for British soldiers, sailors, airmen, officers, and their families as well as associated civilians living and working at the Palace Barracks and in the Holywood community.

Speysound (Badenoch & Strathspey)
Contact: Fred Neck, Speysound Radio, Plot 4A, Dalfaber Industrial Estate, Aviemore
PH22 1ST
Tel: 01540 651392 E-mail: speysound@tiscali.co.uk

Speysound Radio will provide a community radio service to the residents of, and visitors to, Badenoch & Strathspey. The station will provide opportunities for participation and expression across a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and musical preferences.

Licences are awarded for a five-year period.

A statement setting out the main determining factors for the award of the five community radio licences set out above will be available shortly from the Ofcom website.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS AND CSEs

1. In addition to the licence awards detailed above, Ofcom considered two further applications, but has decided not to award a licence to the following groups:

• Riverside FM, Derry/Londonderry
• Radio Fyneside, Loch Fyne, Argyll

2. Applications for community radio licences are being invited on a region-by-region basis. Further details can be found on the Ofcom website at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/commun_radio/

3. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

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