ORGANISERS of Otley's first radio station are urging people to send in their requests and dedications.

And to set the ball rolling, The Wharfedale Observer asked several up-standing members of the community for their top three records of all time.

And the records, which range from the Mayor, Councillor Phil Coyne's, Beethoven and The Who mix to town clerk Les Cross's American classics, American Pie and Baker Street, will be played during a special Top Three show.

Wharfedale FM - at 107.6FM - is due to go on air for two weeks from the end of the month and will be broadcast from the Wharfedale Observer offices in Orchard Gate.

Organisers are busy compiling material, play lists, requests and dedications for the station.

Steve Rhodes, chairman of Wharfedale FM, said he had been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of people for the station.

"We had a meeting last week and about 15 people turned up, it's going very well. We've got enough presenters now, but we're looking for people to help out, to answer the telephone and deal with requests."

The station, which will go out from 7am to 11pm from November 30 to December 8, will coincide with Otley Victorian Fayre - on Friday, December 7.

Mr Rhodes added: "We'll be playing middle-of-the-road, Radio Two type stuff throughout the day, but with specialist music shows every evening from -10pm to 11pm. We've got rhythm and blues, world music, 70s rock shows and Indie music."

Mr Rhodes said they were also looking for schools and community groups to get involved.

Meanwhile, people across the town have been busy coming up with their top three records.

Councillor Phil Coyne, Otley Mayor and chairman of Otley Town Partnership, said he'd just have to have some Jazz in his top three records and included Sing, Sing Sing by Benny Goodman.

Rachael Thompson chairman of Otley Disability Advisory Group (ODAG): has special reason to be particularly fond of her top record of all time which is You Kept Me Awake Last Night by Jim Reeves.

"It's my and my husband, Peter's, song," she said. "We got engaged the same day we met and were married a year later."

The couple met in 1973 at a pub in Leeds, where Rachael was working. Rachael threw Peter out at the end of drinking time, but he waited outside and they went for a coffee.

"Peter bought me the record because he said he'd been awake all night thinking"

Les Cross, Otley Town Council clerk, is a Gerry Raferty fan and his top choice is Baker Street.

"I just love the Saxophone instrumental in Baker Street, it's very atmospheric."

Sylvia Reid, former president of Otley and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Otley Townwatch included Layla by Eric Clapton, Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Stairway To Heaven by rock band Led Zeppelin

She said: "It's a varied bunch and a bit Rocky, but we're all Rock lovers now. Bill Wyman has hit 65 and we've all made the big leap to Rock n' Roll."

Graham Hoult, lay member of the Leeds North West Primary Care Group and presenter with Guiseley FM, has a top three for all types of music - classical, pop and even church music.

He says: "As a 'un hombre pasional' my top tunes are nearly all Flamenco with Voice and Spanish Guitar."

In a Classical mood, his favourite is: Every Valley shall be exalted. (GF Handel, from the Messiah).

His more populist selection is: Love of My Life (Queen). And his top hymn is Thine be The Glory

Any readers wishing to make a request can fill in the form below.

l More information on Wharfedale FM from Nigel Francis on (01943) 463502.