A COMMUNITY radio station in Witney has hopes of shifting to digital less than a year after earning a place on the FM dial.

Witney Radio (99.9FM), which initially operated for years as an online station, is pouncing on a unique opportunity to make the move to DAB.

The station already boasts a varied output, with about 30 different presenters from across West Oxfordshire delivering music, news, travel and events.

Director Barry Clack said: “OFCOM has been trailing small scale DAB with community radio stations around the country, and these trials are now complete.

“A number of the areas that have had these trials believe it has been a tremendous success. OFCOM has suggested that once the information from the trials has been analysed it will be offering the opportunity for those taking part in the trial to hold a DAB licence.

“They are also hoping to extend this offer to other community radio stations. The cost of a normal DAB system is beyond the reach of our station but new small scale DAB is a fraction of that cost.

“This makes this exciting opportunity a real possibility for Witney Radio.”

Witney Radio was a successful online radio station for a number of years before becoming a community FM station with its application to OFCOM for a community radio licence.

Its total running time has been six years.

The workforce is made up of about 30 presenters from Charlbury, Witney and Combe as well as other volunteers who help with management and administration.

Grant Grindley, operations manager at the station, said, “When Witney Radio applied to become an FM station there was huge evidence for its need within the local community.

“The extremely positive reception the station has received on FM and its huge popularity within the local community makes its progression to DAB natural.”

Moving into DAB will be expensive but it is hoped that the station will be able to achieve it with support from organisations such as Witney Round Table, which has previously funded equipment.

Simon Oliver, station manager, said “We’re proud that when presenters who talk about local news or current affairs, know the areas and subject they are talking about and are not just reading a script produced from an office miles away.

“Local is king, our traffic is up to date, informed by listeners and very specific to the area we live in and if there is news relevant to West Oxfordshire, we’ll try and get it to our listeners."

An application for DAB will be submitted later this year.