THE call has gone out for creative youngsters to get behind the microphones and mixing decks as a Worcester-based community radio station hits the airwaves again.

Youthcomm has been running since 2000 and moved from Worcester City Youth Centre in Spring Gardens to St John's Youth Centre in Swanpool Walk in the summer.

Now, the station - which normally goes out on the internet at www.youthcomm.org.uk/radio - is set to go on air across the city from Wednesday, October 26 to Wednesday, November 2. About 100 youngsters are set to be involved in the week-long broadcast, which will feature coverage of Worcestershire Youth Services 'Battle of the Bands' music competition.

It marks National Youth Work Week and youngsters will also be playing general music shows as well as specialist genres such as house and drum and bass.

It will also feature comedy, drama productions and coverage of the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet Elections. The frequency will be announced shortly but the station is now keen for more youngsters to get involved and submit work and ideas.

Radio co-ordinator Chris Fox said: "It's a really exciting time as we've got lots happening and that's why we're keen for young people to come and have a look and hopefully find out how they can get involved."

Youthcomm was spawned from telephone helpline Youthline, started by Northwick resident Richard Wood in 1997 after it became so popular with volunteers who wanted to look at expanding what they did.

The station works with Worcestershire Youth Serv-ice, schools and other organisations, offering youn-gsters aged up to 25 somewhere to learn skills and meet people.

It normally does up to two live broadcasts a year at various locations - including the Three Counties Show in Malvern and Bewdley Arts Festival - in addition to the internet broadcast.

And the station will also be holding a free radio training course on Thursday nights throughout Sept-ember. It has also applied for a Community Radio licence to broadcast full-time and is due to hear within the next month whether it has been successful.

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Youthcomm on 01905 748378.