Guiseley'S airwaves will soon be rocking to the unique sound of a new community radio station.

Rather than high profile disc jockeys such as Simon Mayo, Chris Evans or Zoe Ball, the stars of this station will be somewhat cheaper but just as enthusiastic.

Guiseley FM (frequency yet to be announced) will broadcast from June 12 to July 9, to coincide with the Guiseley Festival.

The voice of the station's breakfast show will be the Rev Simon Hammond, minister of Guiseley Baptist Church.

He is a member of the team that has worked hard to make a 'boyhood dream' become reality.

He said: "We are going to have a great deal of fun with this project. The station logo is Say Something Good. We want to have a station that broadcasts the good news, the positive things happening in our community."

Mr Hammond said community participation was the key to the station's success. "We want to hear from people with a good story to tell. We have already been contacted by Brownies and local schools for example," he said.

The station, which will broadcast from The Parish Rooms, Towngate, will be on air 24 hours a day, 16 of which will be solely devoted to local stories and music.

Between 11pm and 7am Guiseley FM will broadcast the sounds of London-based station Premier FM.

The station is operating on a restricted service licence issued by the radio authority. It is hoped listeners in Rawdon, Yeadon, Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale will also be able to pick up the station.

Mr Hammond said: "There are so many different jobs people can do. We will need everything from technical staff to a station receptionist. I would urge people to get involved."

The minister said the station was delighted to support and be part of the Guiseley Festival. "We wanted to help support this festival and also add to this growing sense of community," he said.

Establishing such a station is not cheap. Mr Hammond estimated it would cost about £8,000. He hoped much of the costs would be recouped through businesses advertising on the station.

The official station launch will take place on Saturday, April 8, (noon) with a balloon race. Tickets (£1) will be available from Morrisons foyer in Guiseley on March 29, 30, 31 and April 7.

Those wanting to get involved with Guiseley FM can get in touch with Mr Hammond on 01943 879479 or by email at info@guiseleyfm.co.uk.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.