THE founder of Liverpool’s Radio City is retiring after 35 years with the station.

Terry Smith, who is the former chairman of Bauer Media’s Radio Group, will leave at the end of this month.

Mr Smith, a former journalist with the Sunday Express and Granada TV, told the Radio City team of his intention to retire 12 months ago, but it was announced publicly last night.

Mr Smith formed the consortium which won the licence to operate Liverpool’s first commercial radio station – Radio City – in 1974 and was the station’s managing director for the next 17 years.

During that period, the station won more than 40 national and international awards for news, sport, programming, marketing and community services.

Mr Smith said: “Staying in the same spot for 35 years seems incredible, but it is simply due to the fact that there is nowhere in the world better to work than Liverpool and there is no better radio station than Radio City.

“I signalled my intention to retire a year ago and know I leave behind me a team of brilliant, passionate and award-winning broadcasters who are committed to the future success of the stations.”

Mr Smith was also a Liverpool FC shareholder and made £1.5m from his holding when Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett bought the club.