A GROUP of students will be local radio stars when their school's summer station goes on air.

Darwen Vale High School has obtained a special licence from the Radio Authority to broadcast on 106 FM from this Sunday for three days.

Listeners up to four miles away will be able to pick up the mix of news, travel updates, weather, studio guests and music. It follows the success of a similar project two years ago.

Consultants from local company, the Radio Surgery, of Burnley, have given the students training and hired a studio.

The pupils have already conducted market research to find a style and tone for their station which will suit the local community, as well as ploughing through red-tape to obtain the licence.

From midday on Sunday, they will broadcast test transmission to get their techniques right.

But their biggest challenge will arrive at 8am on Monday morning when the red light clicks on in the studio and DVREM, the voice of Darwen Vale High School will be live across the airwaves. Teachers are hoping as well as the practical skills developed, the students will learn more about the benefits of teamwork and communication.

And they are hoping for the support of the local community to tune in.

David Blaxhall, of the Radio Surgery, said: "The students are very excited about the project, and who knows, some of them may be the radio personalities of tomorrow. The team are now putting the final touches to the programme line-up and the administration crew who will be working behind the scenes."

Damon Welsh, head of the school project, said everything was on track for the launch. "We will be broadcasting test transmissions from Sunday lunchtime on 106 FM, with our official launch timed for 8am on Monday morning.

"Everything is on track and we are very much looking forward to it."