THE contract to run a forces radio station at Army bases across the UK has been retained by a North-East company.

The Army has renewed the contract of Garrison Radio Limited, of Hartlepool, to broadcast to the country's biggest bases, including Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, after the service was put out to tender earlier this year.

An Army spokesman said "It was a tough competition as the standard of proposals was very high.

"I look forward to working with Garrison Radio once again and I am confident that together we will continue to develop and grow Army radio."

Mark Page, the managing director of Garrison Radio, said: "We are delighted to be awarded the new contract, particularly in the face of competition from large international companies.

"It is rewarding that a specialist radio company like ours in Hartlepool can continue to deliver expertise and radio creative to the British Army."

The three-year contract will mean the company continues broadcasting to bases in Aldershot, Catterick, Colchester and Tidworth Bulford, on Salisbury Plain. The company will also provide a global service on the Internet at www.garrisonradio.com