THE battle to win a town's commercial radio licence is hotting up with the announcement that a third station is about to begin a trial broadcast.

Hambleton Radio and Northallerton Local Radio have already completed two trial broadcasts each and now a new station, Northallerton FM, has announced its intention to bid for the licence.

The company first registered its interest to the broadcast authorities more than 20 months ago and decided to carry out its trial after seeing what the competition had to offer.

Its station will be launched on November 21 and is being headed by former Radio One DJ, and managing director of Garrison Radio, Mark Page.

He has promised an impressive line-up of professional radio presenters throughout the day, including Northallerton shop owner and former TFM breakfast DJ Gregg Upwards and a weekly show by fellow former Radio One DJ Dave Lee Travis.

The station has secured premises near the High Street and staff are looking to broadcast on 107.5 FM.

Mr Page said: "As a local company, we will probably produce the most localised service so far. Our intention is good coverage of the town and immediate area, which is what the service should be.

"For me it's a return to my radio roots, as my early Radio Tees days used to entail plenty of live appearances at the Community Centre and at Yafforth.

"This will be a great Christmas present for the town. Northallerton FM will definitely be adding some tinsel to the local airwaves."

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom approved a station centred on Northallerton, and covering the surrounding area, in June. The winner of the licence will be announced in May.

Brian Cooper, station manager of Hambleton Radio, said he was not worried about the extra competition.

He said: "Hambleton Radio is not really concerned about other groups coming along, whether they have got big names or not.

"I do not really think the people in Northallerton are that fussed either. They want a professional sounding local radio station. We have proved that we can do that.