ONE of Blackburn's business leaders has voiced his support for Lancashire's newest radio station which hits the airwaves on Monday just for the people of Blackburn with Darwen.

The Burn will broadcast from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Blackburn offices in the town centre on the frequency 106fm.

It will initially run for one month before a decision is taken on whether to apply for a permanent licence -- possibly providing the borough with its first ever dedicated station.

The station, fronted by some of Lancashire's best known broadcasters, will play a mix of music from the last four decades and some of today's biggest songs. But it will also provide community information and aim to involve all sections of the community. One of the key members of the community backing the station is Arnold Wilcox, Blackburn Shopping Centre manager, who called for everyone to give the venture their support.

He said: "We are very supportive of the Burn here at the shopping centre as we feel Blackburn thoroughly deserves its own radio station. This is a golden opportunity to keep the community abreast of all the local news and it also gives businesses the chance to get their message across. I very much hope that it will be given a permanent licence after the first month of broadcasting."

Mr Wilcox said the shopping centre was donating £1,000 worth of prizes to be given away in a competition on the station.

The Burn will also have the support of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

Famous voices to work on the station include Pat Gibson, well known for his work on other radio stations, and veteran sports presenter Keith Macklin.