Radio Scilly will broadcast from a studio above Island Properties on St Mary’s when it launches in September.

It is hoped the station will move to its new home at Porthmellon in June if a planning application is successful.

It was based at the Star Castle and Broadcasting Shed on Porthloo during previous transmissions.

A presenter training programme is due to begin in July, founder Keri Jones writes on his blog.

Radio Scilly intends transmitting from the existing radio mast by the Coastguard Tower at Telegraph, which will offer clear reception all over the Islands.

‘The signal strength will be just as good as the BBC,? says Keri, who has been spending most of his time sorting out funding.

‘I have applied for some special grants that will help us out in buying equipment. That has taken quite some time in writing applications, making calls and having meetings.

‘Radio Scilly wants to offer free training to all Island residents and Five Island School pupils. I have had many meetings about this on St Mary’s and we’ve had some positive feedback.

“My current challenge is to secure funding for equipment that we can use to deliver this training.?

He is planning to train about 100 people over the next five years.

Keri is currently sorting through some 6,000 songs for the daytime playlist and says he welcomes any suggestions.

Get in touch with him at keri@radioscilly.com and check out the rest of his news at http://www.radioscilly.com.