Harbour 87.7fm has been on air for almost two weeks and the interaction and feedback from listeners has been “phenomenal”.

Director Dave Starbuck said: “The station is really engaging with not just local listeners tuning in on 87.7fm within 10 miles of Great Yarmouth town centre but also with listeners on line. Our own statistics and online monitoring systems clearly demonstrate that people are listening from all corners of the UK and also abroad.”

Harbour Radio directors, presenters and backroom volunteers have also been delighted with the borough council, local groups and charities – and businesses, in the community using the station as a communication link to get messages across.

Guests in the studio in the last week have included borough council leader Trevor Wainwright, Cllr Bert Collins and representatives from Norfolk and Suffolk Animal Trust, the RSPCA, enterpriseGY, NatWest Business banking, members of Centre 81, plus a host of keep fit and health groups.

Dave added.“The most encouraging aspect of the broadcast to date has been the dialogue with listeners,” he said. “Not only are they keen to get their requests and dedications into the studio, but also they keep us up to date with what is going on in the borough. Our social media sites are proving to be especially impactful. We are reaching out to approximeately 85,000 people a week on Facebook and Twitter and our website has had over 200,000 hits since we launched.”

The station is also providing sports updates on Saturday afternoon show presented by anchorman Julian Nichols, and assisted by Toby Bilton. Toby is currently on a media studies course at college and is particularly interested in covering sports media so Harbour has really been able to provide him with a practical hands on.

Dave revealed: “There is no question that the town is crying out for it’s own community radio station, but the costs of putting the trial together is £10,000 and to date the station has raised £9,000 so we are appealing to local businesses and residents to continue to support us in anyway they can.”

Please contact us on 01493 923877 or email info@harbourradio.co.uk if you can help or would like to get involved with volunteering at Harbour Radio.

Harbour is currently midway through a 28-day trial to demonstrate a need for a community radio station in this area.

It has a trial Restricted Service Licence which will allow it to apply for a five-year community radio licence. The application will need to be approved by Ofcom and comply to rules and regulations in relation to community radio licences.

Essentially Harbour Radio will need to demonstrate there is a need for a station in Yarmouth which creates social gain and operates on a not for profit basis.

Harbour’s board of directors comprise John Rodgers, Dave Starbuck, Carl Castledine, Nev Moore and Richard Routledge.