ALPHA 103.2, the North-East radio station, has confirmed it is to apply for a further eight-year licence.

The station, which broadcasts in Darlington, Sedgefield and Newton Aycliffe, will apply to the Radio Authority, which regulates all commercial radio stations, for an extension to its licence.

Overall audience figures show that Alpha, which started broadcasting in November 1995, has more listeners than ever before in those areas, beating all other stations - local, regional or national. Based in Woodland Road, in Darlington, the station broadcasts music combined with local news and information 24 hours a day.

Manager Joe Radcliffe said he was proud of the achievements of the station.

He said: "Alpha 103.2 is building on a very successful track record and we now have the opportunity to grow even bigger and better over the next few years.

"We are proud to be Darlington's market leader. We have received tremendous support from local people. The station recently held an on-air charity auction raising more than £1,000 for local charities.

"Organisations and business alike want us to stay on the air for the benefit of the area and we'll be passing on their comments to the Radio Authority in London."

Applications for a licence to run the franchise for eight years from November next year must be submitted to the Radio Authority by the end of July.

Alpha bosses do not expect anyone else to bid for a licence and hope to hear that they have been successful a few weeks later.