THE Tidworth area could have two broadcasting radio stations competing for attention by the spring while listeners in Andover have nothing.

Steve Lawton chief executive of Tidworth Develo-pment Trust and Bas Reilly, who will be the mainstay of the new Castledown Radio station initially, told a meeting in Collingbourne Ducis of the timescale.

"An 11 week window for applications for the new community radio stations ends on 24 November and if our application to Ofcom is successful we hope to start broadcasting some time in April," said Mr Lawton.

The pair have been on a six-week long trek around the community area explaining the thinking behind the proposed radio station and letting people know what it will sound like at demonstrations to community groups and parish councils.

The plan is to broadcast to Tidworth, Ludgershall, the Chutes, the Collingbournes, Tidcombe and Fosbury, Shipton Bellinger and Everleigh.

The project will be based in a mobile building close to Castledown School. The name Castledown has been chosen as people across the area can identify with it more than if the name was attached to particular towns or areas.

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser