AN award-winning student station radio station will be highlighting North-East talent when it goes back on air next week.

The University of Sunderland's student radio station, called Utopia FM, which is rated as one of the best student radio stations in the country, plans to showcase one new local band every hour from its studios at the university's riverside campus.

There will also be new programmes on the station on 102.4fm, which includes alternative endings - live music from 8pm to 10pm - with a variety of different genres, ranging from reggae to world music and urban.

The schedule also includes student produced documentaries and bands such as Hoax recording live sessions. Clips from last week's Radio One Big Weekend will also be played.

Sarah Urban, project manager for Utopia, said: "We really want to encourage local bands. If anyone wants their music aired, please get in touch.

"We plan to play a new song every hour, giving local talent valuable air time."

At the Radio One Student Radio Awards last year, Utopia took gold and a bronze in the best news and talk category and silver in best marketing.

Utopia, the largest student radio station in the region, recently announced plans to become a full-time community radio station - targeting students in the 17 to 25-year-old age group, as well as older schoolchildren.

A wide variety of music is in store for listeners who can tune in every day for two weeks from Monday.

For more information about the radio log on to www.utopiafm.net.