DISC jockeys at a community radio station could be silenced if it is made homeless.

WCR in Warminster has broadcast from state-of-the-art studios in a converted toilet block at the town's assembly hall since 1996.

Now there are doubts over whether the lease will be renewed by the station's new landlords when it expires next August.

WCR station director Barry Mole said: "The district council used to own the assembly hall, and we had a peppercorn lease, which covered all our costs. Now the town council owns the building and has formed a hall committee to manage it.

"We've asked the committee to prepare a draft lease and complete it before next August. If it is not renewed then we will be homeless."

Since its formation, WCR has spent thousands of pounds on new equipment. Mr Mole admitted that, after pumping all its financial resources into the building for the last four-and-a-half years, it cannot afford to start from scratch again.

"We would have to pack in. It would be impossible to start again elsewhere as we are not allowed to do any RSLs (restricted short-term licence) for another year, which restricts our capacity to raise major funds," he explained.

Despite failing in its bid for the fulltime licence, which was awarded to 3TR fm (previously known as Pride fm) in the spring, WCR still broadcasts to hospitals, residential homes and individual houses in Warminster, Westbury and Frome.

It also hires out its PA system, runs training courses for budding DJs and radio journalists, record CDs and works with the jazz caf in Nunney.

WCR is now looking at ways to find additional funding to pay for their overheads, if the town council refuses to renew the lease.

Warminster town council clerk Alan Richardson said the council has always supported WCR, but could struggle to cover the station's £5,000 annual costs.

He said: "The hall committee is trying to run the assembly hall as a business, and they have to question WCR's viability. One could argue that if it is a business then you have to treat the station on a business basis."