After deliberating for more than a year, Ofcom has awarded a new broadcasting licence for Great Yarmouth and north Lowestoft to Harbour Radio.

At present Harbour Radio operates online only but it will broadcast for 24 hours a day on an FM wave to be awarded, and plans to launch in six months time. The community radio licence has been granted for five years and will reach out of thousands of listeners.

A visibly relieved director and station manager Nevv Moore thanked everyone who had been involved in the application for the licence from volunteers and supporters to well-wishers at the many events Harbour have been attending.

He said: “Without a doubt it is going to be an amazing project, serving the needs of the community, and aiming to build on the already diverse range of topics and music we already cover. “Harbour Radio is a listener-supported, community-based radio station for Great Yarmouth and we will continue to tackle issues that matter to the local community.”

He added: “We owe our success to the many supporters and volunteers of Harbour Radio and we want to say thank you to them all.”

It is anticipated Harbour Radio will be launched with continued support from the local community as well as partner organisations.

Nevv said: “We would hope to encourage volunteers from Yarmouth and the wider borough to become involved with the station which is a not-for-profit organisation. It will need presenters, producers, interviewers, engineers, marketing and administration staff to make it become even more successful over a five-year period and hopefully beyond.”

Presenter and assistant station manager Nathan James, said: “We are so releived but out hrearts go out to Coastal Radio who also bid for the licence. We know how they must be feeling.”

Nathan, who presents a Monday svening show on Harbour focusing on local musicians and singers said the station would now be applying for grants for equipment. A locksmith by trade in Norwich, Nathan added he was over the moon at the announcement.

To get involved or find out more, contact Nevv Moore on 01493 923877 or email harbourradiogy@outlook.com