LOCAL radio station FM102 The Bear is celebrating after figures showed it was attracting more listeners than ever before.

According to the latest audience figures, released last Thursday, 61,000 local people tune in to The Bear each week.

Station bosses are also celebrating an increase of more than 13,000 listeners a week, during the past year.

"The efforts of our team are clearly producing dividends," said Tim Boswell, station director.

"They have produced some great radio over the past year. The Bear celebrates its sixth birthday in a fortnight's time - this is the best possible present from our ever-growing family of listeners."

He said FM102 The Bear was more popular than any other local station in the areas of south Warwickshire, east Worcestershire and north Gloucestershire.

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day from studios just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. It was founded in 1996.