HEAVYWEIGHT media players from Sir Bob Geldof to DJ Chris Evans today put in their bids to run a new radio station covering the whole of the North West.

The bidders also include former Beatles producer Sir George Martin and Burnley-bred Joe Bloggs boss Shami Ahmed.

They are all hoping to capture an audience of 4.3 million adults and all claim to be offering something new for radio listeners.

The licence will be for a period of eight years and is the first to be offered since Jazz FM 100.4, which came on air in September 1994.

"It's a very lucrative licence," said a spokesman for the Radio Authority which will decide the eventual winner.

"There are far fewer regional licences available than smaller scale ones."

The Radio Authority is expected to announce the winner towards the end of the year and will base its decision on whether the station broadens the range of audience choice in relation to existing independent stations and whether it caters for the tastes and interests of listeners in the region.

f=Zurich Bd BTIRG. The Independent Radio Group already operates six commercial stations across the country and is backed by Peel Holdings, the company behind the £400 million Trafford Centre shopping complex. The board includes former soccer star Alan Hansen, Iain Aiken of Lancashire Evening Telegraph owners Newsquest Media, Derek Green of North West Water, North West Tourist Board chairman Anthony Goldstone, and Trinity International Holdings finance director Michael Masters. Three bids have been put in for services aimed at 15-29 year olds, 40-64 year olds and a contemporary music and speech service for 25-44 year olds.

f=Zurich Bd BTMore 105.4 FM. Backed by Planet 24, whose shareholders include Sir Bob Geldof, Waheed Alli and Charlie Parsons, the men behind The Big Breakfast and TFI Friday.

f=Zurich Bd BTFM 105. Backed by Joe Bloggs chief Shami Ahmed, property developer Tom Bloxham and entrepreneur Elliott Rashman. Other members include music promoter Harvey Goldsmith and Manchester style guru Anthony H Wilson. Sales pitch: "Led Zeppelin meets Radiohead."NRJ. A music radio group with a chain of stations across six European countries.

f=Zurich Bd BTSaga Radio. Part of the Saga Group, the company specialising in holidays and other services to older customers.

f=Zurich Bd BTThe Bridge. "A Contemporary Christian Music Station" with a totally new format. The bid, put together by former Piccadilly Radio presenter Mike Shaft, has grown out of Reach FM in the Bolton area. f=Zurich Bd BTo

If successful, the station plans a sporting academy for Asian youngsters based in Manchester and wants to see an Asian player in the Manchester United squad by 2005.

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