DURHAM should still get a radio station despite a shake-up in the regulation of broadcasting.

The Radio Authority, which controls the airwaves, is due to be replaced by Ofcom, a new body that will also be responsible for other communications.

The Radio Authority last year announced plans to give the city its own local radio station - the first since BBC Radio Durham, which closed in the 1970s.

A spokeswoman for the Radio Authority said: "Durham is on our working list, but the authority is being disbanded and a new regulator is taking over and will hopefully advertise the Durham licence.

"We are confident that there will be a frequency available for Durham, but we cannot say when that will be."

The idea of a station that will serve the city and towns such as Stanley, Consett, Chester-le-Street, Bishop Auckland, Sedgefield, Peterlee and Spennymoor, is supported by Durham County Council.

Brian Lister, project manager for Durham FM, one of the bidders, said he was hopeful Ofcom would continue with plans for a commercial station.

He said: "We have to make sure it does not get forgotten in the shake-up.

"It is important that people in Durham, regardless of who operates the new station, do not let this opportunity slip away.

"The case for Durham is strong because it is a city and yet it does not have its own station."

Durham FM will tomorrow start the second of its month-long trial broadcasts of pop music, news and local information.

Based in the city's former Tourist Information Centre, in the Market Place, it will be on air 24-hours-a-day until Friday, July 18.

Durham FM, which is backed by Radio Investments Limited, which operates Sunderland's Sun FM and Darlington's Alpha FM, plans to unveil its board of directors next week.

Mr Lister said: "We ran the station just before Christmas, and the response from listeners then was excellent so we are really looking forward to the next few weeks."

Another potential bidder, Durham Local Radio, has also taken a temporary licence and is planning its second month of broadcasting in September.

Durham FM will broadcast on 107 FM from 9am.