A COMMUNITY radio station has moved a step closer to hitting the airwaves.

Bolton FM, based at Ashburner Street Market, has handed a bid to Ofcom for a full-time community radio licence.

The group behind the project have been working on the bid for over 18 months Dorothy Martland, who set up Diversity in Barrier-Breaking Communications (DBBC) to train people in radio and boost confidence, is on the board of Bolton FM.

She said: "A lot of hard work has gone into this project and we hope to get a licence.

"We know there is competition but we feel our bid is strong as we already have equipment and have started training volunteers."

The bid says the station will provide a distinctive and relevant community radio service targeting the diverse communities of Bolton.

It aims to be an inclusive and accessible organisation, providing training and broadcasting opportunities for members of all communities and to improve cohesion within the borough.

Directors of Bolton FM will find out if they the bid has been successful in January, and could be on air in January 2009.

The station will be funded through grants, sponsorship and fundraising activities.