EASTLEIGH is to hit the airwaves with a long awaited community radio station.

It is a dream come true for Hedge End-based entrepreneur David Gates who has been campaigning for local broadcasting for more than 20 years.

The Skyline Community Radio Station will serve Hedge End, West End and Botley but should be heard clearly throughout the borough.

The station will be licensed for five years by Ofcom, the government agency for tele-communications, radio and TV.

They are set to license "small scale" not for profit radio all over the UK.

Skyline, which will be broadcast 24 hours, seven days a week, will be manned by volunteers from its base in Hedge End.

It will feature programmes for all ages and, as it is a non- profit making station can put out programmes that might not appeal to a mass audience.

The new station hopes to start broadcasting in June ready for the Hedge End Carnival.

Mr Gates, 49, has been the driving force behind several small-scale short-term stations in the area.

He will be putting together a more permanent team to man the station. No previous experience is necessary.

Mr Gates said: "We are looking for every position really from presenters to tea ladies. Any help will be appreciated.

"We do not have to chase audience ratings to keep our advertisers happy unlike the commercial stations. We can give more air time to smaller issues that may be too small for BBC local radio to cover."

The station will need to find funds as it can only accept a limited amount of advertising. Plans are under way for a series of fundraising events.

Anyone who would like to get involved should write to: David Gates, Suite 231, 80 The High Street, Winchester SO23 9AT.