PATIENTS at a hospital are tuning in to a marathon radio broadcast this weekend.

Volunteers at Auckland Hospital Radio, in Bishop Auckland General Hospital, hope their annual 60-hour broadcast will raise funds for the station, which has been on air since 1978. Performances from local bands, competitions, a live web stream and theatre will be part of the broadcast which began at 9am yesterday and will end at 9pm on Sunday.

Station chairman Craig Robinson said: “It is a great event which all of our members look forward to.

“The volunteers work extremely hard to keep the station on air and this is a great way to remind us what hospital radio is about.

“We have a lot of fun over the weekend, whilst bringing quality entertainment to the patients, staff and visitors to the hospital.”

The station also improved its website – ahr.org.uk To volunteer at the station, call 01388-455453.

No experience is necessary and training will be given.