A new radio station for Calne and the surrounding villages has been launched by a former hospital radio buff.

EarTunes Radio has been set up by Ade Truelove as a buffer against the increasing influence of big corporations.

Mr Truelove, who was a station engineer of Chippenham Hospital Radio for many years, said: “There is a need for a more local radio service. Increasingly, once-local stations are becoming branded, with less and less local content.

“Local commercial radio stations have sold out the big corporations and have lost their local edge.”

Eartunes is an Internet-only radio station but Mr Truelove, who lives in Calne, hopes it will eventually get a community radio licence and broadcast on FM.

EarTunes already broadcasts music by local musicians and is seeking to give more airtime to local talent.

It also provides information about car boot sales and church events and is offering free advertising for local events.

Contact EarTunes at studio@eartunes.co.uk.