Lancaster’s Diversity FM to close next month

Community radio station Diversity FM says it will be closing down at the end of March because of a lack of funding.

The Lancaster station says it costs around £6,000 a month to keep the station alive.

Station Manager Duncan Moore told The Visitor newspaper: “We’d put a plan together to try to keep it going but it’s been harder and harder to get funding. Unless a rich benefactor comes forward, it’s sadly the end.”

A statement on the station’s website says: “What you hear on the radio is around 20% of the work we do. Behind the scenes we also work with many members of the community who are marginalised, for example those with physical disabilities, mental health issues, addiction problems and ex-offenders. We also work with the youth, training them in radio skills and giving them the opportunity to do something they would never otherwise get the chance to do. The same can be said for many of our older voltunteers.”

They’re appealing for listeners and local supporters to donate money to help the station stay on air.

Diversity FM launched in September 2007 with its current five-year Ofcom licence due to expire later this year.