By Craig Evry

A THREE-WAY battle has broken out in a bid to take over a local radio licence in Warminster.

Warminster Community Radio, which has been campaigning to take over the slot for the last four years and has broadcast several times, has now got two main competitors bidding for the Independent Local Radio Licence, which becomes available from the start of next year.

Commercial stations White Horse FM, formed by radio company Bath FM, and Pride FM have joined the race to win the eight-year slot, with all applications due in by the end of this month.

Warminster Community Radio, run by Barry Mole of Westbury Road, has been attempting to raise more than £60,000 towards the radio's start-up costs since starting the campaign for the licence.

Having received huge support from the local community, including half the proceeds from this year's Warminster carnival, Mr Mole believes the bid to offer a community radio station with a diverse range of radio programmes is what the community wants.

Mr Mole said: "The people of Warminster want us to succeed.

"We have been working towards this for so long. The station has progressed at a phenomenal rate."

White Horse FM also believe they have a good chance of winning the licence by offering a commercial 24-hour service covering Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and Frome.

If they are successful they would aim to start up their station by next autumn, opening a base in Warminster.

Shareholder Richard Whatmore believes White Horse FM will provide the area with the service it needs, concentrating on music, local hourly news updates and news features.

He said: "People have said hot and strong that they want more local news on the radio.

"We will promote all the local issues like the Athenaeum in Warminster.

"We are like chalk and cheese to Warminster Community Radio as they are very different to us.

"We are commercial and it's up to the Radio Authority to judge which style they want."