After months of preparation, it was all systems go at Roundshaw-based young persons' radio station Youth FM this week.

The station, run by young people for young people, kicked off its annual month-long broadcast yesterday and is hoping to attract thousands of listeners with its mix of music, lively debate and competitions.

The station, which is funded by Sutton Council, has around 30 people aged 14 to 21 presenting shows, reading news broadcasts and carrying out off-air production tasks.

The project is run by Carshalton College audio and radio lecturer Martin Smith, along with two council youth workers.

He said: "It's great for the young people involved and doing live broadcasts gives them the experience they are unlikely to get anywhere else.

"From taking part they learn all kinds of skills and you can see their confidence grow the more they do.

"And apart from the young people running the station, it gives all young people in Sutton something that's created just for them."

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 87.9FM until the end of this month.

All the young people involved have been preparing since last October and meet once a week at Roundshaw Youth Centre with Mr Smith to learn the skills they need to plan, practice and present shows.

And every year more budding DJs are given the opportunity to join the station when promotional material is sent to schools, colleges and council premises with details of how to sign up.

The format of the shows will be familiar to most radio listeners and young people can find out about events going on in the borough and local news.

There are also sections every two hours tackling serious issues concerning young people.

To help fund the project, Youth FM organises youth discos at local night clubs and schools throughout the year but this summer the disco's usual venue has been cancelled and the station is appealing to local companies to donate prizes, with the added incentive of free radio publicity.

More information can be found at www.youth-fm.com or you can call the station on 020 8773 1424.

July 10, 2002 10:30