A NEW “vintage” radio station launches this Saturday in Wirral – run by and aimed at over-50s.

Vintage Radio will broadcast for only nine days – from this Saturday until Sunday, March 1, 24 hours – with live broadcast starting at 7am until 8pm.

The station aims to provide a mix of music and information, with magazine programmes, radio drama, poetry, interviews, competitions, “what’s on” features and some politics and sports.

It will also be promoting the work of local societies and services that support older people.

John Cotcher, of Help the Aged, which has supported the radio station with a grant, said: “We hope it will appeal to mature listeners – many of whom feel that local radio caters primarily for a much younger audience.

“With one exception, all our presenters are over 50, and a few of the team – which includes a technical group, a programming group, a publicity group and a planning group – are in their 80s.

“Most of us – and we have 42 separate presenters – are completely new to broadcasting, so much of the early work of the project has been training in broadcasting and presenting.”

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) approved the application for a restricted service licence for a community radio station last December 15.

Since then, the presenters – who will design their own shows, decide the content, invite the guests, choose music and “run the desk” – have been training for their step into the media world.

Vintage Radio will have a website so when we broadcast live you’ll be able to hear us by logging on to www.vintageradio.org.uk

Mr Cotcher said: “You’ll be able to hear us if you live within four miles of our studio at the YMCA in Birkenhead – that’s most of Wirral, part of Central Liverpool, and up the coast as far as Formby. We’ll be broadcasting on 87.7 FM, found at the end of the FM dial.”

“We’d be very happy to play dedications. Listeners simply need to ring 647 4720 and leave the message they want us to read out.”

liammurphy