FANCY getting behind a microphone, spinning a CD or two, or perhaps trying your hand at chairing a discussion programme.

These possibilities - and a whole lot more - could be become a reality this year if you get along to St Mary's Church Hall in Thornbury on Monday, March 7 (8pm) and get tuned in to community radio for Thornbury and district.

People attending the meeting will have a chance to get involved in plans for an advertising-funded local radio station - serving an area roughly within a five-mile radius of the town - which it's hoped will go on air for the first time this November.

If it happens - and confidence is already high - it will go live for a fortnight, from Saturday November 19, a time slot which coincides with the town's annual Christmas lights switch-on. A second 14-day broadcast is envisaged some time in April next year - at around the time of Thornbury Arts Festival.

The move is being spearheared by Anglican church leaders who had pledged it will be community, rather than church, radio.

An enabling group has been set up to steer the project through the initial stages and the hunt for volunteers ready to commit themselves to the new station is now underway.

"There's already a huge amount of interest," said vicar the Rev David Primrose, who is coordinating the project. "There's more danger of being overwhelmed, rather than under-supported.

"We've written to organisations, clubs and interest groups inviting them to come on board and help to promote community life in Thornbury and the villages. Organisations are the strength of Thornbury - but there are also many individuals who feel isolated and cut off even in the middle of a vibrant community. We want to reach out to these people and make them feel included. We also want to bridge the generation gap by encouraging dialogue beteen young people and senior citizens."

St Mary's Church Hall has already been identified as a possible station headquarters - with the studio itself situated in the garage - although other options are also be explored.

The launch meeting will focus on five different areas - management and finance; advertising revenue; promotion and publicity; technical matters; and opportunities for those interested in programming and presenting.

"At this early stage we really need to concentrate on the first four so that we have some infrastructure in place and ready for when things start to happen," said Mr Primrose.

"We're pretty sure that advertising revenue will cover running costs and we shall be seeking grants for capital expenditure such as equipment - although we're hoping to borrow a lot of that from other temporary stations."

One of those who have already pledged wholehearted support for the scheme is Thornbury police chief Sgt Simon Ellis.

"It's a great idea and I'd like to see the community getting behind it," he said. "I can think of lots of ways in which the police could have a valuable input. I'd be more than happy to talk about crime fighting and policing trends and answer any questions on air.

Castle School sixth former Tim Crowe, 16, who is already involved in the project, said he could see the station being a big hit with young people

"I think it's going to a lot more popular with people at school" said Tim. "If it plays the right sort of music and involves local teenagers and local schools then I reckon lots of young people will tune in after school and at weekends. Why wouldn't they?

"It would be wrong if people got the idea it was going to a church radio station. It really will be for the whole community."