THE legendary Radio Caroline will help a fledgling station take to the airwaves across Maldon next month.

Caroline Community Radio 94.7 FM is due to start broadcasting from a new studio in Burnham in October.

It's promising a 24-hour mix of music and community programming.

The new station is getting a hand from former pirate radio station Radio Caroline, which changed the face of broadcasting when it came on the scene in 1964, broadcasting pop music from a radio ship off the Essex coast.

We are committed to encouraging new voices and talent

Burnham-born presenter and Caroline Community Radio director Ray Clark is looking forward to the launch and hopes local people will want to get involved.

“This has been a long time coming," he said.

"I was first involved in a radio project for Maldon back in 1971.

Daytime music programmes will be presented by experienced broadcasters, including Ray, former Radio 1 DJ Graham Bannerman, former Breeze AM and BBC Kent presenter Peter Philips, and former Invicta FM and KMFM presenter Johnny Lewis, who all still broadcast regularly on Radio Caroline.

Evening programmes will feature community issues and items of local interest presented by volunteers.

Ray said: “We invite anyone who lives or works in the Maldon district with an interest in broadcasting, who would like the chance to learn the relevant skills and join our broadcast team, to get in touch.

“We are committed to encouraging new voices and talent.”

The station goes live on October 19 and will broadcast to the Maldon district on 94.7FM.

It will also be available online at carolinecommunityradio.co.uk.