Banbury businesswoman and former town mayor Rosemarie Higham has joined the board of Banbury Local Radio.

BLR is one of the leading bidders for the new commercial radio licence for the Banbury area.

The licence will be advertised in November and a decision will be made early next year by Ofcom, the organisation that controls commercial radio in the Britain.

Mrs Higham said: "I totally support the idea of a Banbury radio station. We are one of the most progressive areas of the UK and one of the most beautiful.

"Our own radio station is long overdue. I have considered all three of the proposed applicants for the licence and BLR has the strongest local plans. "Their programming fits what the area needs, while the team behind the project has a fantastic blend of local knowledge and radio experience. The station is owned locally and is not part of a group based elsewhere in the country."

The other two companies which will bid for the licence are likely to be Banbury FM, which launched the first trial broadcast in Banbury three years ago, and Banbury Community Radio (formerly internet station ImpactLive).

All three bidders have run trial broadcasts.