East Sussex station Uckfield FM has launched after an eight year journey to bring a local radio station to the area.
The community radio station, broadcasting on 105FM, launched at 1:05pm on July 1st after eight trail broadcasts since 2002.
The station was founded by four hospital radio enthusiasts who were broadcasting at the Uckfield Festival. The four were Mike Skinner, Gary King, Alan French and Paddy Rea. In July last year just two days after coming off air from the last broadcast Ofcom announced that Uckfield FM had been awarded its well earned full time licence.
Gary King is now Director of Production and Mike Skinner takes the role of Chairman. The station was officially opened live on air by Cllr John Carvey, Mayor of Uckfield.
Mike Skinner said: "The economic climate has been very difficult for us as we rely on advertisers and sponsors together with grants to fund us. We have to remember that every one involved on the station is a volunteer giving up their own time to provide this service to the town.
"I have fond memories over the years and pay tribute to our founder the late Paddy Rea who was an inspiration for us to carry on and realise our dreams. We now want each and every member of the town and area to support us. This is a radio station provided for the town and for time being we are the caretakers, who knows where it will take us."