REDDITCH'S first youth radio station was launched with a fanfare as it took to the airwaves last week.

Redditch FM is based at Kingsley Youth Centre and is run by young people for young people, providing a forum for discussions on local issues, give-aways and live bands.

Youth worker Steve Rafferty said the station had proved popular with youngsters, with many of them trying their hand at different aspects of producing the programmes.

The station can be found at 87.7FM.