THE latest temporary radio station took to the air at the weekend and is already proving a hit with listeners in the North-East.

Broadcasting from a car recovery yard until Saturday, March 8, Durham's DLR, on 107 FM, is providing a mix of music, news and information.

The station, which is using local presenters, has specialist music programmes in the evenings, including blues, folk, rock 'n' roll and jazz.

The station was launched by recently-established Kent company Laser Broadcasting, which is planning to bid for the permanent licence to run the city's first dedicated radio service since the demise of BBC Radio Durham.

Originally due to broadcast from Durham City's Three Tuns Hotel, the venue had to be moved to Fred Henderson's Recovery Yard, in Ainsley Street, because of technical problems.

Programming manager Hugh Evans said: "It has gone exceedingly well. The awareness within Durham has been surprising. Normally, you arrive unannounced and it takes three weeks into the four before you get a response.

"We have had letters and e-mails of support, which is what we need if we are to win a licence.

"There is a definite need for a local radio station in Durham and people seem to be pleased with what they are hearing from us.''

Durham FM, backed by Radio Investments Limited, broadcast for a month late last year.

* Popular country and western presenter Brian Clough, a photographer with The Northern Echo, is returning to the airwaves with DLR.

He has a show on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 2pm and from Friday he will be hosting The American Music Show in the 7pm to 10pm slot he used to have with Metro and GNR.