A FORMER Lantern FM radio presenter trying to resurrect a North Devon radio station is appealing for letters of support.

Ian Starling, who worked as a presenter on Lantern FM from 1994 to 2008, was disappointed when national radio group Heart decided to close its North Devon studio.

While running an online station from his home in Barnstaple, Ian has also spent time preparing a bid to Ofcom in the hope they will advertise a commercial FM broadcasting licence for the North Devon area.

Ian, who is meeting with Ofcom officials on September 20, hopes to acquire a temporary FM licence to carry out test broadcasts in the Barnstaple area.

If successful, the temporary licence could lead to Ofcom advertising for bids for a full commercial licence.

Ian said: "Ofcom need to see why North Devon deserves a local station and I want to present them with more than 1,000 letters of support from people in the area.

"For example, do you value traffic and travel news, school information, local news? If so, write me a brief e-mail explaining your reasons."

Ian would also like businesses to write to him on headed paper to briefly outline how they could support a new station.

He said: "This doesn't necessarily mean financial support.

"One local taxi company has asked for CDs of the Network North Devon online shows to play to customers in their cars.

"The more support we get, the more Ofcom will have to listen."

● You can e-mail Ian on ian@network1radio.co.uk or write to him at Network 1 Radio, 29 John Smale Road, Barnstaple, EX31 2HR.