DEVIZES could have its own radio station as the Radio Authority has identified the town as a suitable place for an FM licence.

Phil Dawson, the Devizes recording studio boss who runs Fantasy Radio which has broadcast on a restricted service licence, said he was interested in applying for an FM licence.

However, any moves to offer an FM licence for an independent station is unlikely to happen until next year at the earliest as the Radio Authority is to be replaced by a new communications regulator, Ofcom in December.

A Radio Authority spokeswoman said: "An FM licence for Devizes is just a proposal and it will be up to the new regulatory body to determine their strategies for the future.

"We have identified Devizes and a number of other places as possible sites for an FM licence.

"Our engineers have been looking to find where there are gaps in FM frequency and they have identified Devizes as one of those areas. Also, there is demand for a service in the area."

Currently FM licences are awarded for a period of eight years but under new legislation currently going through Parliament this would be extended to 12 years.

Mr Dawson confirmed that he would be interested in applying for an FM licence to broadcast in Devizes.

He said: "Fantasy Radio has put on five or six broadcasts since 1995 and we have lodged our interest with the Radio Authority for a permanent licence.

"Our last broadcast was two years ago and we had lots of letters from people who enjoyed it."