Dec 7th 2006 - COMMUNITY RADIO HITS THE AIRWAVES (East Grinstead Courier)

Meridian Fm went live across the town last week, providing East Grinstead and surrounding areas with a dedicated community radio station.

But, according to the man who began the project six months ago, it is still in need of volunteers and support from local people and businesses.

Managing director Lee Quinn said the number of hits on the station's website has doubled since the weekend but he believes there is a misconception as to the nature of the station.

He said: "In some cases we've been compared to Mercury but it's worlds apart. We're raising funds to exist and they're raising money for a commercial station." Mr Quinn added he would like to hear from more locally- based charities, because the station raises money from its competitions for them.

Presenters typically bring in music from their own collections to play on the music-based shows.

Claire Evans, who helps on the 80s night show on a Thursday evening and reads some of the news bulletins, said: "It's so nice to be able to give something back to the community where I have lived all my life."

With more businesses on board the station hopes to carry on streaming online after the current community licence runs out on Christmas Eve.