The Grammy Award Winning singer and song-writer, Neil Sedaka, writer of hits such as "Oh Carol!", "Solitaire", "The Hungry Years", "Stupid Cupid" and many more is on a whistle stop tour of the UK at the moment promoting the new musical about his life "Laughter In The Rain".

Neil has taken some time out of his schedule to chat with Saturday Brunch and tell a little bit of his back story and the history of some of his biggest hits.

So join us this Saturday and hear from one of the masters of music in his 6th decade of writing - plus Wayne Smith (already a friend of Brunch) joins us as he embarks on that tour and becomes Neil Sedaka.  It's all on Preston FM this Saturday (6th March) from 10am.

Community Radio Youth Involvement Officer
Up to £22,000 + 5% pension contribution
Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract to 31 Mar 2011, with potential for extension subject to future funding

With 21 years' experience in delivering innovative and effective community based arts and media projects, Preston Community Arts Project (Prescap) operates a highly successful full-time Community Radio project in Preston. The radio station reflects all of Preston's many communities, and gives everybody the chance to get their voice heard, and their message across.

A vacancy has arisen for a Youth Involvement Officer to work within our community radio team, to lead the recruitment, training, induction and support of young volunteers, working with them to create broadcast material and facilitating young people’s involvement in all aspects of the wider community radio project.

You’ll be experienced in and committed to engaging and working with young people, as well as excited about the opportunities community radio can offer them. Your focus will be to ensure the benefits of volunteering with community radio are available to all young people in Preston.

Benefits include flexible working arrangements, 30 days annual leave and 5% pension contribution.

Closing date for applications: 12pm, Monday 22nd February

Post subject to enhanced CRB check.

More information is available by downloading the documents below:

Preston FM was pleased to be part of an exciting radio drama project - Divided We Fall - which ran on air throughout February.

Starring Vincent Ebrahim (The Kumars at No 42) and Mina Anwar (Sarah Jane Adventures), the drama looked at the contemporary issues of violent extremism and how young people can get sucked into it. Paralleling the radicalisation of a young Muslim Asian boy (Ibrahim) and a white ex soldier returning from Afghanistan (Jonno), it explored what makes people vulnerable to extremist views and what alternatives there might be.

Even though the drama has finished on air, you can still find out more about the project on the special Divided We Fall pages of our website - including podcasts, pictures, a plot guide and a map of the fictional estate where the drama is set.

If you've been listening, please tell us what you think of the series by filling in this short on-line survey .

£24,000 – £27,000 based on experience + benefits
Permanent contract
Full-time (37.5 hours)

Do you believe in the value of the arts in changing communities? Are you inspired to create great art and innovative projects, engaging and exciting the people involved? Can you respond to trends and strategic initiatives whilst motivating and empowering a skilled projects team?

PRESCAP is seeking an experienced Projects Director with vision and ideas to deliver our Mission and strategic objectives; to design projects in accordance with the company’s artistic policy. Established in 1985, Preston based PRESCAP is a catalyst for change: enabling people to explore, realise and value their full potential through creativity.

PRESCAP creates and delivers dynamic arts projects with people, supporting urban regeneration and community development. Current projects include Preston’s full time community radio station and Arts Based Community Development programme of projects in the North West.

Benefits include 30 days holidays plus bank holidays and 5% pension contribution.

For an application pack and further details, visit the Prescap website .

Closing Date: 12 noon, Mon 15th February 2010
Interviews: w/c 22nd February 2010

£22,000 + commission + car + 5% pension contribution
Full time
12 month initial contract, with potential for extension to minimum 3 years subject to funding

With 25 years' experience in delivering innovative and effective community based arts and media projects, Preston Community Arts Project (Prescap) operates a highly successful full-time Community Radio project in Preston and works closely with four other Lancashire-based organisations delivering similar projects.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Business Development Manager to form new relationships and deliver new business on behalf of all five full-time community radio projects in Lancashire.

Developing new leads for on-air income generation, as well as off-air services, you will seek and secure new opportunities from within the commercial, statutory and voluntary sectors across the county.

Closing date for applications: 12pm, Monday 8th February
Interviews: Week of 15th February

Applicants must be currently unemployed and live in (or be prepared to move to) Lancashire.

In collaboration with and funded by Lancashire County Council’s economic development department, Lancashire County Developments Limited.
Post part-funded by the Ofcom Community Radio Fund

Download the full application pack here (ZIP file).

Or download the application pack in parts here:

• Letter to candidates
  
• Job advert
• Background information
• Job Description
• Person Specification
• Application Form
• Equal Opportunities monitoring form
• Equal Opportunities policy
• Enhanced Disclosure information
  
•  
  

We are proud to present the latest set of Preston FM radio production courses. The courses are designed for people new to Preston FM and give you the chance to learn all about community radio - from the knobs and buttons in the studio, through to how to prepare and present an interesting radio programme.

Once you've completed the course, you can then continue to volunteer with Preston FM (if you want to) as a regular presenter, community journalist, production role or in some other way. All courses are free, and we can cover travel and childcare expenses whilst you're volunteering with us in most circumstances.

There are three courses to choose from - all cover the same content, but at different times:

• Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11am-2pm, for four weeks, starting Tue 9th Feb (deadline for applications: Friday 29th January)
• Mondays & Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm, for four weeks, starting Mon 8th Mar (deadline for applications: Friday 19th February)
• Community Radio “boot camp” intensive course across the Easter weekend (Fri 2nd, Sat 3rd and Sun 4th Apr, 10am-5pm each day) (deadline for applications: Friday 12th March)

To apply for a place on one of the courses, please give us a call (01772 880791) or e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). You need to be registered with us, which you can do online using our registration form.

If you're out and about in this snowy weather, here are some sources of information that might help.

• List of school closures from Lancashire County Council
• Lancashire Weather from the BBC
• Road Travel news from the BBC
• Weather Warnings for NW England from the Met Office
• Winter weather advice from Lancashire County Council
• National Grid - advice on power and gas supplies
• Bus Information from Transport for Lancashire
• Rail Information from National Rail Enquiries
  

A very Merry Christmas from everyone at Preston FM. Stay tuned throughout the holiday period for your favourite shows, as well as some special Christmas treats, including:

• Chat City Christmas Special - Christmas Day, 8-10am - Join Norma for a special Christmas edition of Preston FM's Chat City Breakfast Show, with Christmas messages from across the city.
• Pete's Zany Christmas Extravaganza - Christmas Day, 10am - With a very special Christmas guest...
  
• Living Waters - Christmas Day, 11am - Susanna Bullman with the Christian perspective on Christmas.

Digital TV Switchover has happened in Granada. The main Winter Hill transmitter switched over early in the morning today, Wednesday 2nd December, with smaller relay transmitters switching over throughout the day.

If you, or someone in your family, street or community, has been left with a blank screen - there's still chance for eligible people to get help with the switch to Digital.

The BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme offers pracitcal help for people 75 or over; those eligible for disability benefits; and those registered blind or partially sighted. They'll come and install easy-to-use equipment, show you how to use it and even fit a new aerial if necessary, where they can.

The help is only on offer in Preston until the end of December - so call now on 0800 40 87 656.

Prescap are seeking a trainee music leader for the forthcoming project: Podcasting a Positive Preston. This project is aimed at young men between the ages of 13 – 18 years from the Callon and Fishwick areas of Preston.

The workshops will focus on music, voice and new media as a means of expression and learning new skills including community radio skills. The groups will create a podcast and musical gamelans using low cost and free materials.

We are seeking a trainee music leader to assist the music leader in the delivery of the project.

Your role will include:

• Working alongside the music leader and other team members to facilitate delivery of the workshops including planning and evaluation
• Liaise with other music leaders and team members of the project
• You will be required to undertake a Gold Arts Award which will be facilitated and paid for through the project.

This Trainee Music Leader opportunity is being offered for the period from January 2010 – June 2010. An inclusive fee of £50 per session (2/3 hours) is available plus 5 non contact time sessions at £25 per session.

You can download full details of the opportunity and an application form - please note the closing date of Monday 30th November.

Project funded by Youth Music’s Open Programme and Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust

Preston FM suspended our usual broadcast schedule all day on World AIDS Day - Tuesday 1st December - to bring you 14 hours of programmes dedicated to World AIDS Day. We hope that the variety of programmes throughout the day helped you learn more about how HIV/AIDS affects people here in the UK and around the world.

The day included a special edition of our Chat City Breakfast Show, as well as discussions, debates, documentaries and even dramas. Some programmes were borrowed from other community radio stations around the world - but most were  made by Preston FM volunteers.

Lots of the day's programmes are still available as podcasts - take a look at all of our World AIDS Day podcasts here .

And you can find more information about organisations featured on air and about local agencies who can offer support or advice on HIV/AIDS by visiting the special World AIDS Day section on our links pages .

Our World AIDS Day coverage is part of Preston FM's "Preston & Beyond" project, funded by DFID's Development Awareness Fund , which is helping local people gain a better understanding of the UN Millennium Development Goals and other International Development topics.

Preston FM's fourth fifth volunteer is here! His name is Richard, he has been with us for three weeks now and he'll be with us for the next three months, helping out in the office and studios as well producing some exciting projects of his own.  Please say hello when you're in the station next, and welcome Richard to the team.

If you're 16-25 and interested in spending three months volunteering full-time for Preston FM, get in touch with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ben Aspin - the new face in the station!

We're pleased to announce details our new training course for new young volunteers here at Preston FM this Spring. If you've always fancied having a go at radio and you are between 16 & 25 years of age, then these courses will get you going and teach you all you need to know to become a Preston FM presenter.

No experience is necessary (although if you do have some radio experience, that's fine too), and the courses are free. We can pay travel and childcare expenses to help you take advantage of the training on offer - and you'll also have the opportunity to acheive a silver arts award.

The course will take place every Monday and Tuesday, 4-6pm for 5 weeks starting Monday 1st March.

For more details, please visit www.prestonairwaves.co.uk or to apply for a place on the course, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us on 01772 880791.

We've just finished moving the furniture around a bit here at Preston FM - some of your favourite shows might have found a new home in our new schedule.

So, if you can't find your favourite, don't panic - just take a look at the schedule here on the website to find out where they've gone...

Saturday 3rd Otcober was Preston FM's 1st Birthday!

Celebrating being a full time community radio station for one whole year! 

We had a special 3 hour Happy Birthday breakfast show with Mark Howard & friends, along with celebrations at Preston flag market, sharing the stage with Preston Arts Festival there was fun & games and live performances from Preston FM presenters all afternoon!

Another big thanks to Paul and Lucy Breeze!  They arranged for the Preston FM logo to appear on the Blackpool Panther’s Rugby League shirts for the Sky TV covered Carnegie Floodlit 9s competition, which also involved teams from the Superleague!  So many thanks to Paul and Lucy for organising this and helping spread the word about Preston FM once again!  Please see below for pictures.

Preston FM is helping to rally the city to give a "Helping Hand" to people who might need help in switching to Digital TV.

With the Digital TV switchover in the Granada region starting on November 4th, everyone needs to be ready. Do you know someone who is older or disabled, who might not find it easy to switch to Digital TV and maybe doesn't have family close or friends that could help them?

If so, give them a Helping Hand and remind them about the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme . You never know - you may be the one person they trust to give them good advice.

Make sure they know the Help Scheme can help, and remind them to apply by sending back their forms or calling 0800 40 87 656. That’s all you need to do - the Help Scheme can do all the technical stuff.

Preston FM is working with 18 other community radio stations across the North West toencourage people to join the Helping Hand campaign - so listen out for special features and interviews on Preston FM all this week.

You can listen to and download podcasts of all this week's reports .

  ગુજરાતી   

And keep reading for more information on the Help Scheme.

Since 23rd August 2009 National Museums Liverpool has hosted Slavery Remembrance Day, August 23rd is a significant date as it commemorates an uprising of enslaved Africans, led by Toussaint L’ouverture  on the island of Saint Domingue (modern Haiti) in 1791.
The day commemorates the lives and deaths of the millions of enslaved Africans and their descendants who were central to the rise of Britain as an industrial power.
We remember that we live with the legacies of transatlantic slavery such as racism and discrimination and ongoing inequalities, injustices and exploitation and celebrate the resistance, rebellion and revolution that ended chattel slavery, as well as the rise of popular movements for racial justice and social change that said both then and now "never again".

To listen to the podcast click here 

Lord David Puttnam has pledged his “.. absolute support..” to a campaign by Preston FM and other community radio broadcasters across the UK who are pressing the government for access to adequate and reliable funds.

Community radio stations like Preston FM, acclaimed by industry regulator Ofcom as a “broadcasting success story”, are under constant fear of closure, according to Professor Anthony Everitt, author of the 2003 report, New Voices, whose recommendations formed the basis for government legislation.

Blackpool Panthers v London Skolars Rugby League Match - 25^th July 2009 

Preston FM Presenters Paul & Lucy Breeze went along to the Blackpool Panthers Rugby League match on July 25th, and took the opportunity to promote Preston FM and their enthusiasm for community radio!

There were two events going on at the same time. Firstly, the normal pre match hospitality for the Rugby game with officials and guests from both the Blackpool and London clubs, along with other corporate sponsors and invited guests. Secondly, Tracy Dawson and Mo Moreland (ex of the Roly Polys) were holding a Ladies Day in aid of charity with lunch, fashion show and pamper stalls.

This special event attracted almost 100 ladies from the local area and beyond who would never normally have been to a rugby match. The perfect opportunity to talk about Preston FM to a far larger number of people than there would have been on any other normal match day.  Preston FM street banners were positioned on the side of the pitch across from the main grandstand in full view of all the spectators there and also on the hospitality balcony. A large Preston FM poster was also displayed in the entrance hall to the hospitality suite, which was used as a backdrop for talking to people and taking photographs.

Also, the Preston FM logo was displayed in the national matchday magazine for all Cooperative Championship sides, namely:Toulouse  (yes – in France – really!), Gateshead, Featherstone, Barrow, Doncaster, Sheffield, Halifax, Leigh, Batley, Whitehaven, Widnes, Dewsbury, Rochdale, Swinton, Workington, Hunslet, York, Oldham, London Skolars, Keighley and Blackpool. 

Over 500 people attended the event, so big thanks to Paul & Lucy Breeze for taking the opportunity to promote and help spread the word about Preston FM.

Click "Read More" for photos of the event

Join Preston FM every evening this week for all the latest news and reviews from the Preston Tringe .

Saturday Brunch host Mark Howard will be joined each evening (Monday to Friday) at 6pm by a selection of guests and Preston FM reporters, to help you navigate your way through the rich pickings of Preston's exciting new fringe festival. As well as reviews of the theatre, music, comedy and magic at the festival, there'll be some special guest performances from muscians and bands taking part and a nightly what's on guide to the Tringe.

And, if you miss the show, you can check out all the reports through our TringeCasts .

Plus, there are more reviews and reports on the Preston Blog website.

So, what are you waiting for - get Under the Tringe...

Pop in to Preston FM on Thursday 23rd July to find out more about the training and volunteering opportunities on offer over the summer and autumn.

There'll be the chance to meet staff and current volunteers, and to take a look around the radio station. Bring along any questions you have, or just stop by for five minutes to discover what's on offer at your local community radio station.

All welcome - no booking required - just pop in any time between 12 noon and 6pm to our studios in Buckingham House, Glovers Court, Preston PR1 3LS (opposite the Wellington pub, down the hill from Waterstones).

A brand new website for "airwaVes" - Preston FM's youth project - has been launched. The site provides details of upcoming workshops and training courses, as well as details of all the volunteering opportunities available at the community radio station for young people aged 16-25.

The new site will also showcase video and audio created by young people taking part in the airwaVes project.

Take a look at the site by visiting www.prestonairwaves.co.uk

This years Beat-Herder Festival was such a great success!

With all sorts of creative activities going on throughout the weekend at the Yurt Reynolds Tent, Prescap supplied fun workshops such as the Deck Wizards DJing workshop, computer music, badge making and a workshop for people to pimp their wellies!  The arts award team was also there, giving people a chance to kick off their Young People's Arts Awards at the festival!

Preston FM ran the DJ workshop in the Yurt Reynolds tent, entertaining and giving useful tips to young, beginner DJs along with a music production workshop, demonstrating the basics of making music with an easy to use music production package called Reason. Thanks to all the Preston FM volunteers who came along to help run the workshops.
Away from the workshops, the tent was full of fun-packed activities all weekend, with loads of live acts such as the Sax Pistols, Earth Doctor, Jah Mission Vibes and many other great bands/DJs - all programmed and supported by Blackpool Promoting Music!  We also had a great jam with the Tidal beats drum circle, banging away on bongos and all kinds of rhythmic instruments!

The whole festival was a great experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone!  I will most definitely be returning next year.

See below some great pictures from the festival:

Preston FM is pleased to welcome a new member of the staff team this week. Neil Dilworth joins the community radio project as an Administrator, thanks to new funding from the Big Lottery Fund and other funders.

Before joining the Preston FM staff team, Neil was a volunteer at the community radio project, presenting a show demonstrating new and different ways to produce music in a home studio. He has previously been an administrator for the Community Gateway Association and Contour Housing.

Neil will be the first point of contact for volunteers, visitors and callers - so please join us in welcoming him to the Preston FM team.

Join Preston FM and the Preston & South Ribble Fairtrade Group to celebrate Preston's fifth anniversary as a Fairtrade City!

The Flagmarket will be full of stalls and activities, along with the Preston FM Fairtrade Stage, featuring local bands including Jelly's Last Jam, Francis Troy, Population Four, Chris Monaghan, No Man's Landand Ric Smithson.

You'll be able to find out more about Fairtrade by listening to our expert speakers, and there'll be a gaggle of Preston FM presenters there to meet as well.

So why not join us, on Saturday 27th June on Preston Flagmarket? The fun kicks off at 10am.

Preston FM is offering a range of courses of radio activities to young people aged 16 - 25 throughout Preston and surrounding areas.

Five days of workshops will include DJing, MCing, audio production, radio journalism, presenting and podcasting - all led by experienced workshop leaders working in the industry.

Participants must be aged between 16 & 25 and live in Preston, Chorley or South Ribble. Certain other criteria also apply.

Sessions run for 1 week (Mon-Fri) between 11am and 2pm on dates to suit the group. Activities can be delivered at Preston FM or on your group’s premises. If you are, or work with, a group of young people who would like to take part, please call Francine on 01772 880791or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bored? Ready for a challenge? Ready to have some fun? Then book your place on one of Preston FM's summer radio courses...

We're currently recruiting for new presenters, producers, journalists and technicians to join the volunteer team here at Preston FM. It's great fun, and completely free. No experience is necessary, and you're welcome whatever your background, ability and age.

We're currently looking for volunteers to join our introductory courses in August and September 2009. There are two options to choose from - both the courses cover the same material, but in different ways and at different times, so choose the one that best suits you:

• Community Radio "boot camp" - intensive course over the August Bank Holiday weekend (29-31 August 2009, 10am-5pm each day)
• Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am-2pm each day, for 3 weeks. starting 9th September 2009

Applications for places on these course are currently being accepted. If you want a place on one of the courses, you need to apply by 5pm on Monday 10th August. Just phone 01772 880791 or e-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to apply, or keep reading for more information.

Preston
£20,000 – 22,000 based on experience + benefits
Permanent contract, full-time (37.5 hours)

Do you believe in the value of the arts in changing communities?
Can you inspire this in others?
Can you respond to trends and strategic initiatives whilst motivating and empowering a skilled projects team?

PRESCAP is seeking an experienced Projects Manager to deliver our projects in accordance with the company’s artistic policy.

Established in 1985, Preston based PRESCAP is a catalyst for change: enabling people to explore, realise and value their full potential through creativity.

PRESCAP creates and delivers dynamic arts projects with people, supporting urban regeneration and community development. Current projects include Preston’s full time community radio station and delivery of Arts Council England’s Arts Awards in the North West.

Benefits include 30 days holidays plus bank holidays and 5% pension contribution.  

To apply visit www.prescap.co.uk or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for an application pack and further details.

Closing Date: 12 noon, Tuesday 9th June 2009
Interviews: Thursday 18th June 2009

(Prescap is the community arts organisation behind Preston FM. Please note that this post is not directly part of Prescap's community radio project team).

Preston FM hosted a Local Elections Debate, giving members of the public the chance to quiz Preston and South Ribble candidates standing in this year's Lancashire County Council elections.

You can listen to the debate right now - or download it to your MP3 player - by visiting our podcast site. And you can hear the debate on Preston FM during the week running up to the elections on June 4th at the following times:

• Saturday 30th May, 9am
• Sunday 31st May, 1pm and 6pm approx (after the Mr Planemaker's Flying Machine omnibus)
  
• Tuesday 2nd June, 9pm

Preston FM's new Spring schedule kicks off from Monday 6th April. There are some fantastic new shows joining the line-up, and some of your old favourites may have moved around, so do check the schedule pages to make sure you don't miss anything!

For full details of the schedule, including all of the new shows coming up on Preston FM, click on the calendar on the right hand side.

Preston FM's Saturday Brunch team is planning a special programme looking at the history of Winckley Square. We're looking for people who have lived or worked on Winckley Square - for example, people who attended the convent school (which is now a Heathcote restaurant), people who have worked in an office on the square in the 50s, or who have lived in a house there at any time in the past.

If you have memories of Winckley Square and would like to share them, please contact the Saturday Brunch team direct by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Preston FM was out and about at the offices of the Community Gateway Association on Friday 20th Feb. Volunteers and staff were on hand to let CGA staff know what Preston FM was all about, and Preston FM DJ Danny Danger was on hand to provide some taster workshops on the decks for young people from Preston United and INTAG. Some of the CGA staff even got their hands on the decks, as you can see from some of the photos below: 

A new radio mini-soap - "Estate of Affairs" - is soon to hit the airwaves here at Preston FM. The soap has been written by students on the Screenwriting course at the University of Central Lancashire .

The six part mini soap tells the story of a young couple, Simon and Marion, who go through a traumatic time involving a love triangle in the middle of a crime wave on an estate in Preston. They live next door to a feisty couple, one of whom is a computer systems analyst, or is he a Hell's Angel? It's hard to tell.

The soap will air as part of Preston FM's Chat City Breakfast Show between 2-6 March, at 9:50 each morning, with an omnibus of the entire series broadcast on Sunday 8th March at midday.

Keep reading for more details...

Whatever you're doing this Christmas, Preston FM will be there to keep you company through the holiday season. Our team of presenters have some special treats in store, alongside our usual wide range of music and speech programmes.

We're pleased to announce a new partnership between Preston FM and Community Gateway, the not-for-profit community business set up to meet the housing needs of people in Preston and the surrounding area. Community Gateway are the new sponsor of Preston FM's Chat City breakfast show, which you can hear from 8am every weekday morning.

Community Gateway is a natural partner for us, with its commitment to creating friendly communities and involving its tenants in all aspects of its work. Everyone here at Preston FM welcomes Community Gateway on board, and looks forward to working with them over the coming weeks and months.

For more details on the Community Gateway Association, why not visit their website? 

Preston FM is searching for new volunteers to join our team of Community Reporters and create radio news reports for programmes throughout our schedule. Could you be our environment reporter, or our Moor Nook reporter? Or report on the area where you live, or the topic that you're interested in?

If so, we want to hear from you. You don't need any experience - just an interest in your neighbourhood in Preston or South Ribble; or a topic that you'd like to talk about. Join us at a special introductory training day, on Sunday 22nd March (10am-4pm), here at the radio station - it's free, but you need to book in advance by calling the office on 01772 880791.

Preston is set to benefit from a major lottery windfall announced today, thanks to funding granted to Preston FM – the city’s community radio station. The Big Lottery Fund has awarded £368,218 under its Reaching Communities programme to Prescap – the community arts charity behind the project. 

Preston FM was out and about on the flagmarket on Saturday 4th October to celebrate the launch of the new full-time community radio station.

Joining us were local bands and musicians, Preston FM presenters and - braving the rain - hundreds of listeners keen to hear what was planned for the new full-time station.

There are some photos of the day below and - thanks to headlining band Jelly's Last Jam - you can check out a video diary of the day. 

At 8am this morning (Monday 6th October) 103.2 Preston FM launched fulltime. The radio station, managed by community arts charity, Prescap, has been running for over three years, and has so far seen over 300 volunteers from Preston and the surrounding areas take part, but things will step up a gear from today, allowing it to involve the community to an even greater extent.

Preston FM's Community Reporters project is set to benefit from a grant of £10,000 from the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust . The funding, which will kick in from April 2009, will allow Preston FM to recruit and train specialist "correspondents" from across the city to contribute news stories and features to Preston FM programmes.