A NEW bid to win a local radio licence for Northallerton takes to the airwaves tomorrow.

A small team will start broadcasting from a supermarket car park and continue for 28 days round the clock, offering music, interviews, news, competitions, promotions and fundraising.

Spokesman and breakfast show host. Hugh Evans, said: "We feel the town should have this facility and we will be lobbying the relevant licensing authority to at least get Northallerton on the working list for consideration. We aim to show that there is a need and a desire for the town to have its own station."

The 28-day trial run will be on a restricted licence basis and so very localised. The team will work from a mobile trailer unit called Caravan of Love in the Somerfield store car park.

Music will be adult contemporary, featuring items from the Sixties to the present. Local people will be interviewed and charities will get free advertising.

The main man behind the project is Eddie Startup, who used to live in Northallerton.

"We will see how it goes," said Mr Evans. "The people will let us know how they feel about our operation and we will take it from there."

Northallerton Local Radio will transmit on 87.7FM, the same frequency used by Harmony Radio in a similar trial run some weeks ago.

Broadcasting is due to start at 10am tomorrow.

Mr Evans said it was hoped to have some local dignitaries for interview on Monday. On Sunday, The Northern Echo's photographer, Brian Clough, presents his own show from 11am to 3pm, a mix of music including some of his much-loved country and western, and D&S Times photographer Nigel Whitfield may drop by to talk about his work on the paper.

James Wilson, of Harmony Radio, said his team hoped to be back for another session in Northallerton in the spring. "We are not worried about the competition," he said.