EFFORTS to give Durham City a commercial radio station took a step forward last night, with the submission of the first formal bid for the licence.

Durham Local Radio (DLR) lodged its interest in winning the rights to broadcast to people living within a ten-mile radius of the city.

North-East businessman David Bowles is heading the DLR consortium, in partnership with Laser Broadcasting and Newsquest, owner of The Northern Echo.

The licence, expected to be advertised by broadcasting regulator Ofcom in October, will broadcast at 500 watts and on two frequencies.

DLR was established in 2002 to bid for the licence. Its board has more than 40 years of commercial radio experience.

Last year, it successfully conducted two month-long test transmissions.

Mr Bowles, said: "We believe we have the team in place to provide County Durham with the local station it deserves.

"The successful test transmissions demonstrate unrivalled support for our bid, and confirms that the station can be successfully launched to a wider, full-time audience.

"We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to our broadcasts, both from the general public as well as local businesses and organisations."

l Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is expected to get a radio station after Ofcom announced the licence would be awarded next year.

Malcolm Warne, editor of The Northern Echo's sister paper, The Darlington & Stockton Times, is a member of the Northallerton Local Radio consortium bidding to win the licence.