IT'S all systems go at Thornbury FM - the town's community radio station - which is set to go on air for the first time next month.

Radio licensing body Ofcom was today set to announce the frequency the station will broadcast over when transmission starts on Saturday, November 19. It's due to be on air from 7am until midnight for 14 days ending on Friday, December 2.

The Saturday launch day will coincide with Thornbury Christmas fair and festive lights switch-on.

"We're now confident that everything will be in place and we'll be ready to go," said station chairman, Thornbury vicar the Rev David Primrose. "Enthusiasm is very high and there's a great deal of excitement.

"Our funding has now come through including a grant of more than £11,000 from South Gloucestershire Council and more than £4,000 from the National Lottery Awards of All scheme. We're also getting help from Oldbury Power Station, Thornbury Round Table and the South West Foundation.

"It means we're able to purchase all the equipment we need."

He said the organising committee was also grateful to local business who had booked advertising with the station, enabling it to meet a proportion of its revenue costs.

The station is still awaiting the formal go ahead from planners for a studio in a portable building in the St Mary's Church Hall car park where a 20 metre tall mobile transmission mast will also be temporarily sited.

"Some concern was expressed about the visual impact and effects of the mast on public health and TV reception but we're confident we can reassure the public all those counts."

Mr Primrose said a full programme schedule would be circulated in next month's Thornbury Magazine.

"It will include a full range of music as well as a whole raft of other material from interviews with local characters and personalities to sport. There's going to be a lot of involvement with schools and young people in general."

As well as Thornbury itself, the station's reach will also include Oldbury and extend as far as parts of Berkeley.

Plans are already in hand for the station to be back in business next May to coincide with the town's arts festival.

"We're incredibly grateful to so many people who have shown such support and enthusiasm," said Mr Primrose. "With a project like this it's possible there are also people feeling disappointed that they haven't been asked to contribute in some way. I 'd really like to hear from those people so we can talk about involving them next time."

Mr Primrose can be contacted on 01454 413209 and more information on Thornbury FM is available at www.thornbury-fm.org.uk