WEST Somerset is set to get a new radio station after Ofcom granted a license last week.

Former district councillor Bryan Leaker has been instrumental in setting up the new radio station, which will be based in the Old Hospital, and hopes it will be on air in May.

West Somerset Community Radio programming will feature local news, farming news, sport, what’s on and event information, tidal news, and travel news.

Mr Leaker said: "I have been involved in radio in one way or another for nearly 50 years now and it is something I am very passionate about.

"I want this radio station to be the glue for the local community. It is not for profit and the radio station will give free advertising for events to local groups like the Regal Theatre, the local cricket club, hockey club, and bowls club.

"We also want to make sure people in their cars have a way to access the local travel from Minehead to Highbridge. With traffic expected to increase due to enormous number of vehicle movements to and from Hinkley C during construction we think this will be useful not only for local people but for tourists. The last thing we want is visitors being put off from coming again because they spent too long stuck in traffic."