COUNCILLORS look likely to back plans to give County Durham its own local radio station.

The Radio Authority intends to advertise next year for applicants to run an independent local radio service in the county.

There are local stations for Sunderland (Sun FM), and Darlington (Alpha Radio), as well as the bigger commercial services, Metro, Magic, TFM, Century and Galaxy, and the BBC's Cleveland and Newcastle stations.

It is expected that the station would cover Durham City, Derwentside, Wear Valley, Chester-le-Street and part of Sedgefield.

Durham County Council cultural services director Patrick Conway said in a report delivered to Thursday's cabinet meeting: "Durham is unique among British cities, having once had its own local radio station, which was then removed.

"BBC Radio Durham closed in the early 1970s when the BBC chose to move investment and effort to Cumbria."

A temporary station, Durham FM, is broadcasting until Friday December 6.

It has gone on air with backing from Radio Investments Ltd, which has 22 stations, and plans to bid for the eight-year licence. Other bidders are expected. The Durham FM team is led by Brian Lister, who was formerly with BBC radio, Metro Radio, and TFM, and was the managing director of Sun FM and an advisor to Alpha.

Mr Conway said having a major media company in the county "helps to develop and sustain identity and a sense of belonging".

He said the new station "could be important in forthcoming strategic discussions about identity".

Mr Conway recommends that the council welcome the proposed licence and take a "proactive role" in the application process.

"In doing this, it may well be appropriate to comment about the coverage and nature of the franchise.

"It is suggested signal strength should enable the proposed station to be picked up throughout County Durham."

Mr Lister said the station, which started broadcasting last Sunday on 107Mhz, had been well received.

"The feedback we have been getting is positive. There hasn't been one person who has said to me, 'why do we need a station for Durham?'.

"Everybody understands that Durham is getting its act together in so many ways and that to be a city and not have a radio station is really unusual."