VOLUNTARY DJs are gearing themselves up for the next month-long broadcast of GLOSS FM.

The South Gloucestershire-wide community radio station will hit airwaves on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, and organisers say next month will be the best broadcast yet.

Chris Mountain, who looks after the programming schedule, said: "It’s an exciting time for all our volunteers. We have the old favourites along with new presenters ready to continue our success we have experienced over the past six years."

The volunteer-run radio station, formerly Thornbury FM, can now be listened to across much of South Gloucestershire and some parts of Gloucestershire thanks to a new aerial.

In January the station was granted planning permission to erect a permanent aerial on the grounds of Tytherington Road Nursery, just outside Thornbury above the A38.

The station operates on a Restricted Service Licence allowing it to broadcast on a FM frequency for 28 days twice a year. Previously the station had to hire an aerial for the two broadcasts but the new permanent setting for the aerial will reduce costs.

However, next month’s broadcast will benefit from new sponsorship thanks to the support of three local companies Active Window Solutions of Thornbury, Elite Financial Accounting based at Aztec West and Trust Local covering the Thornbury area.

"We rely on the support of sponsors and local businesses advertising with us," said George McDowall, who volunteers at the station.

"Although we are a non-profit making volunteer organisation, we still need funds to put on the FM shows and there’s always the cost of replacing equipment."

GLOSS FM is due to hit the airwaves on 87.7fm from Monday, May 2 until Sunday, May 29. For more information visit www.glossfm.org