NEW radio station Moonraker FM is nearing the end of its first successful week on the airwaves.

The station, which can be found at 106.8FM, went live on Saturday and broadcasts to Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and the surrounding areas.

By the end of the weekend Moonraker, which is based at Wiltshire College, Trowbridge, had already received nearly 1,000 calls from listeners.

All comments, letters, emails and calls received by the station will form part a bid to the Radio Authority to prove the need for a full time radio service for the Wiltshire's county town and the surrounding area.

Moonraker FM will continue to broadcast to Trowbridge and Bradford until March 28 before the five-strong group behind the station plan to make test broadcasts in the Chippenham area.

Partner Ian Pugh said the Chippenham area would be crying out for a local service if the commercial response to the Trowbridge and Bradford project was anything to go by.

He said: "The support from town councils, chambers of commerce, the police, local charities and various local groups has been absolutely excellent. We are really delighted with the reaction from everyone."

Media students from the college are helping out with the station's output, which includes regular national and local news bulletins, interviews and music.

Joining Mr Pugh as presenters are Shirley Ludford from 10am to 1pm Monday to Wednesday, and Jonathan Hewat, whose two-hour Sunday lunchtime show mixes Golden Oldies with classic radio clangers taken from his 3,000 clip collection.

Moonraker FM can be contacted on (01225) 756348 or at Moonraker FM, PO Box 2727, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1XJ.