Jan 18th 2007 - MERIDIAN PLANS TO AIR AGAIN IN SPRING (East Grinstead Courier)

The Sunshine Sevens rugby, Wasps' last game of the season and the Lions Mayfair could be among the events covered by Meridian FM if its latest licence application is accepted.

The application to run another community licence from April 27 to May 24 was sent off on Monday.

Managing director Lee Quinn said: "All through May you've got an event every weekend."

But volunteers at the station are still waiting to see if Ofcom, the communications regulator, penalises Meridian FM for having a news sponsor, something not allowed under the community licence.

Mr Quinn said: "It's something we didn't know about but we've sent recordings off to them."

The station will receive Ofcom's verdict once the recordings have been studied.

It is unlikely this will affect the more long term plans being drawn up for Meridian FM by Mr Quinn and colleagues.

He said: "The planning we are now doing is for two years. The next thing we are going for is 24 hour, that's part of the plan as well."

The station's managing director feels Meridian FM has a unique appeal which will ensure continued success.

He said: "What people like about Meridian FM is that we've catered for classical needs, swing, rock, blues, funk, the whole thing was there. There's not many radio stations that do that now."