June 12th 2008 - RADIO STATION'S LAUNCH DELAYED (East Grinstead Courier)

Meridian Fm has suffered a setback with its summer broadcast due to a town council by-election

The East Grinstead station was due to begin its summer programme on Sunday, but will now go on the air from June 29 because managing director and presenter Lee Quinn is standing in the election.

Ofcom has advised Mr Quinn that his appearance on the station in the lead up to the Ashplats by-election could give him an unfair advantage over other candidates.

Rosie Mac, vice-chairman of Meridian FM, told the East Grinstead Courier: "Lee is an essential part of our daytime programming and without him the management committee would have had to find cover for 61 hours of weekday on-air, cover for day-time shows in emergencies and key cover overseeing the daytime operation during the Monday to Friday. In addition several planned interviews would have had to have been cancelled.

"As Meridian FM is entirely staffed by volunteers, many of whom have full time jobs or other weekday commitments, this would have been a massive task to complete in less than a week. However, with the support of local businesses, the whole Meridian FM team and help and guidance from Ofcom, the senior management committee has decided to move the on-air dates forward by two weeks in the best interests of all concerned."

The station will still be without Mr Quinn for the first five days but the management committee believe they can cover the gaps.

Ms Mac added: "Meridian FM would like to thank the community for your support and apologise for any inconvenience caused to this change in broadcast date. We do encourage you to listen to Meridian FM on 87.7fm between our new dates of Sunday June 29 and Saturday July 27."