WOULD-BE television producers are to get their chance, following the re-launch of a community television channel for East Lancashire.

Community Television, or CTV, will broadcast on Channel 25 of the Nynex cable network which now reaches from Blackburn to Colne.

The channel will be manned by volunteers and programmes produced using Blackburn College's fully-equipped media centre.

Special courses have been designed to allow all members of the community to get involved in the various aspects of programme-making.

Producer and course tutor Russ McLean, said: "Blackburn was the very first town in Great Britain to have its own community television station back in November, 1990. However, because of a reorganisation, that station, Cable 7, fell by the wayside.

"Now Nynex has invested a lot of money in this area and we can transmit to Burnley and Colne, which we could not do before."

The new channel will be launched in August but, as a taster, CTV is holding a live telethon event to raise cash for the SuperScan Appeal next Wednesday.

The programme, from 6pm to midnight, will feature a range of items from karaoke contests and pub quizzes to consultants talking about the scanner itself and pledges from local firms.

Anyone wanting more information about the telethon or the production training course should contact Russ on Blackburn 292167.

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