Pete Waterman, internationally famous record producer, is to spearhead a bid for two brand new radio stations in the North, it was revealed today. Pete who has sold more than 500 million records worldwide, is to be chairman of Virus Radio Limited. He is to submit his bid to the Radio Authority for licences in the North West and North East. He says: "Despite many offers, I have never been involved with a radio application until now. However I think so much talent is slipping through he net and it's time for a huge change and I am delighted to be at the forefront. "The team I have put together includes experts from Apollo Leisure and Emap Radio - the very best in the music and lifestyle industries with a genuine understanding of the real grassroots needs of the public."

Apollo Leisure has grown from one theatre in 1977 to the largest privately-owned Theatre and Leisure Group in Western Europe.

Founded by Paul and Nita Gregg, the company now operates over 80 venues across the UK including theatres, arenas, social and bingo clubs, restaurants, night clubs, hotels and sports centres and employs more than 6,000 staff.

Pete says: "My plan for these two new stations will be entirely different to anything currently being broadcast.

"They will be constantly at the cutting edge of new music, featuring everything young and innovative.

"We will certainly be very proactive in finding and developing new music and artists. We will give them the opportunity of live sessions in our state-of-the-art studios backed by concert promotion."

He added: "Latest audience figures on the current radio and independent music scenes show that young people are deserting Radio One and other stations in droves because they don't recognise or fulfil their needs.

"In any one week the British music industry releases more than 100 singles and 250 albums - but only a small percentage is given airplay on existing local stations."

Pete will set up his North West radio station headquarters in a converted church which houses his hi-tec recording studio in Manchester city centre. He is now actively seeking studio premises in the North East.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.