BLACKBURN'S newest and brightest radio service has received the backing of an important sector of the community -- its business people.

A commercial radio station needs advertising input to survive and traders have thrown their weight behind The Burn, which goes live next Monday and will broadcast to 140,000 people on 106FM.

One of its supporters is Peter Hobkirk, of Hobkirk Sewing Machines in Darwen Street, Blackburn, a past president of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade.

Mr Hobkirk believes The Burn will set the town alight with its mix of music from the 1970s right through to new releases.

It will also provide people living in and around Blackburn with lots of news from their own community, together with local sport, community information and a traffic and travel service.

The Burn is backed by Newsquest, parent company of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Lord Patel of Blackburn and Harry Pennington, this year's Blackburn Lions' president.

Mr Hobkirk said: "I think the town should always be raising its profile and this sort of thing will do that. It will serve the interests of Blackburn and the whole community. It will develop and prosper by looking after the needs of the town. It will have a broad appeal because of its mix of music and interviews with local people, catering for all sections of the community. I wish it well."

The Radio Authority has granted a Restricted Service Licence to allow The Burn to broadcast for 28 days from next Monday until Sunday, October 14.

It will be on air for 24 hours a day and include sports news, programmes by Asian Image's Khalid Shaflla and Shuiab Khan and music from top recording artists such as the Bee Gees, the Hollies, Abba, the Verve, Roxy Music and Boyzone.

It was set up because organisations and individuals had felt that the borough of Blackburn and Darwen was not being adequately served by commercial radio.

One of the main purposes of the broadcast will be to persuade the Radio Authority that the borough needs its own news, community information and sports service and that it is a commercially viable proposition.

Roadshows will take place in Blackburn town centre on Saturday and the following Saturday with prizes and giveaways.