The launch of Radio Scilly is to be celebrated with a new beer - and Islanders and visitors are being asked to come up with a name.

Mark Praeger, who owns the Ales of Scilly brewery, is to create a real ale to mark the station’s permanent return after eight years of short-term trial broadcasts.

He offered to brew something special for the launch when he heard that Radio Scilly - the smallest station in the world - is back on the Islands full-time.

“Radio Scilly is something unique to the Islands and, like Ales of Scilly, it has grown massively in size and popularity over the years,” he said.

“The Radio Scilly team members have been fans of my Scuppered ale for many years and as a big fan of the station, I wanted the brewery to be involved in this big day.”

Ales of Scilly is based close to the station’s new studio at Porthmellon, which is currently being painted ahead of the launch date of September 3.

Managing Director Keri Jones said: “Radio Scilly has a responsibility to promote the best in Island produce.

“We thought it more appropriate to launch our community project with a toast from Marks local brew rather than imported champagne. I want us to start as we mean to go on.”

Now Mark is asking Scilly News readers to suggest a name for the new beer.

“Ideally, the new ale will have a catchy name with references to radio or our the Islands,” he said.

The closing date for suggestions is August 15. The winner will receive a 9 pint microcask of the new brew, an invitation to the station’s launch party and a Radio Scilly sweatshirt as a prize.

Suggestions can be emailed to studio@radioscilly.com The winning name will be unveiled on http://www.radioscilly.com