Ottery is set to get its own radio station as a community project takes to the airwaves for a trial broadcast next month.

Radio Ottery, the brainchild of student Oscar Pearson, will be available over the internet on August 25 and 26 with shows fronted by local groups.

The 19-year-old came up with the idea after becoming involved with student radio at the University of York where he now studies.

He said: “I came back to Ottery and asked whether there had ever been a station here, and I thought it would be a good idea to try and start one.”

After getting both the Town Council and the Tourist Information Centre on board, they have now arranged to broadcast for a weekend, and are looking for as many locals to get involved as possible, regardless of experience, in either presenting, producing or fundraising.

Oscar, who lives near West Hill, said: “If it goes well, the station will take a gigantic step towards securing major funding, meaning we could be broadcasting for years and years.”

He hopes to fund the project through local advertising, as well as applying for grants and funding.

Looking to the future the station would like to involve students at The King’s School in helping out, producing and presenting shows and interviewing local people, but first they need a successful trial next month.

As they have not purchased equipment yet their facilities will be quite basic, and Oscar will be recording a lot of material over the next few weeks to be broadcast during the trial, including sections with the community theatre, tourist information, council, shops, churches and other groups.

It will be available to listen at www.otteryradio.co.uk, and to get involved see the Ottery Radio Facebook page.