A FORMER BBC Radio 1 DJ is bidding to take over the international broadcasting services for the British Armed Forces.

Tees Valley-born Mark Page, who runs North Yorkshire-based Garrison Radio, broadcasting to Army bases throughout the UK, is bidding to take on the contract providing radio and television to UK forces throughout the world, including those on board ships and serving in some of the world’s toughest environments.

Garrison Radio, which employs 20 staff across the UK, has already submitted an expression of interest to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and intends to tender for the Future Forces Broadcasting contract when it is offered in the new year.

The services overseas and a UK-wide digital radio station are currently provided by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, part of the charity the Services Sound and Vision Corporation, but that deal ends in 2013.

Mr Page, who fronted the early-morning weekend show on Radio 1 in the Eighties, is in discussion with a number of potential partners in the television, radio and telecommunications industries, with a view to forming a consortium to bid for the contract.

Mr Page said: “We have put together a very credible bid. I think we do a fantastic job across the UK, but to move to the international stage requires that to be stepped up.

“There will be significant competition for it, but we believe we have a very good track record in what we have been doing and being cost effective, which has become extremely important.”

As a start-up business in 2001, the company won its original tender and retained it when it came up for renewal, despite competition from 13 other companies.

Mr Page said: “This is an opportunity to re-think how we provide relevant entertainment and news to our forces – whether they are deployed in the field or based here at home.

“They deserve the best we can give them – and that is a technological as well as an editorial challenge, so we’re keen to hear from anyone who thinks they could help.”

As well as news and content of particular relevance to the military, the broadcaster will be expected to provide the same variety of entertainment as would be received on TV and radio at home, including sport, soaps, dramas, music and movies.

The Catterick Garrisonbased company also broadcasts to Aldershot, Colchester, Edinburgh and Salisbury Plain on FM, and Bassingbourn, Glencorse and Wattisham on AM.

It has also operated the first Royal Navy radio station, as well as piloting Garrison TV with specific Army content.

Forces Broadcasting has grown from humble beginnings in 1943, with a single radio station for British and Allied forces, into a global, multi-channel television and radio operation.