One of the North-East's biggest entertainment complexes has signed a deal to sponsor a popular student radio station.

The Gate, in Newcastle, will be the location for regular live broadcasts by Newcastle Student Radio (NSR).

NSR has a potential audience of more than 35,000 students from Newcastle and Northumbria Universities and is planning a month long FM broadcast in September to coincide with the arrival of new students.

A year long sponsorship deal with The Gate will help to pay for the upgrade of the station's fm mast, as well as buy some professional CD players and other studio equipment.

Jude Leitch, marketing manager at The Gate, which comprises restaurants, bars and a cinema, said: "This is the first time we have entered into a major sponsorship deal with student radio, and we look forward to helping students, especially the freshers who'll be coming to the city in September, to settle into their new environment."

NSR's head of advertising Simon Laing said: "This is a great deal for us and the students as the money invested by The Gate will enable us to produce quality programming."

"We will be able to buy some very good equipment which will also help the students on the various media, or marketing courses who spend time working in the station."