THE team behind Durham's trial radio station say their month-long broadcast was well received.

Durham Local Radio (DLR), backed by a consortium of local businesses, including The Northern Echo, completed its second spell on air on Sunday.

Like Durham FM, which has also staged two broadcasts under a temporary licence, the station will bid for the permanent licence for the city.

DLR broadcast a mix of music, local news, information and sport and featured specialist music programmes on evenings and at weekends.

Programme manager Hugh Evans, who was the station's breakfast host, said: "I know it went well, just from the responses we have had.

"The response for our competitions and for the charity auction in aid of St Cuthbert's Hospice were excellent.

"It is difficult enough to get a response when you are a full-time station, but we did.

"I think we have been quite bold and daring with some of the things we have done. Some of it has worked and some of it hasn't.

"People don't just want another station showing up and being a jukebox, which is the pattern today.

"They want a station that entertains, informs, and to a certain extent educates them.''

The station, which broadcast from a mobile studio called The Caravan of Love, is now carrying out research ahead of submitting a detailed bid to Ofcom, the regulatory body that takes over from The Radio Authority later this year.

Mr Evans said: "The research will tell us what worked and what didn't and what people liked and didn't like. We'll shape our programming proposals accordingly.''

The switch to Ofcom means a decision on the licence is anticipated in June, the winner taking to the airwaves in late 2004 or early 2005.

People can signal their support by writing to Durham Local Radio, Ground Floor, Ruth First House, Claypath, Durham, DH1 1XE.