Regular presenters were given the boot on Christmas Day afternoon on Kick FM in West Berkshire and Kestrel FM in North Hampshire to allow listeners to take over the programming.
In West Berkshire a local plumber, his wife and children presented an hour of their music and Christmas jokes, followed by programmes presented by the local town mayors, rugby club, and local pantomime stars.
On Kestrel FM programmes were presented by the staff from the local housing association, a kids football team, representatives from the local hospice, and Basingstoke Hospital Radio.
Tindle Radio South’s Regional Station Manager Andy Green came up with the idea and said, “We wanted to reflect the true spirit of Christmas in our local communities, and what better way than to hand the radio station over to the listeners”.
“I’ve been really impressed with the standard from our listeners, who have loved being part of our Christmas Day schedule.
