IF you were suddenly given your own radio programme – how would you fill your airtime?

Whether you're the next Zoe Ball, Jimmy Young or Sue McGregor, Forest of Dean Community Radio would like you to turn up at their Listening Tour and make yourself heard.

Forest of Dean Radio is on the way, and March sees the start of a two-month countdown to the first Forest-wide transmissions granted through a special licence awarded to the Forest group by the Radio Authority.

Forest-wide broadcasts will begin on May 3 on 1521AM.

Initially broadcasts will take place on weekends, but with plenty of empty airspace to fill, there are opportunities for everyone's audio wishes to be taken into account.

This month a "Listening Tour" is taking place at locations around the Forest to find out what sort of programmes people would like to hear, and if there are any groups and individuals in the Forest who would like to make their own programmes.

Community radio is all about creating and listening to local sounds, as Dean Forest Radio spokesperson Amanda Smith explains: "The Listening Tour is a relaxed and entertaining opportunity to tell people what we're up to, and find out who would like to learn how to use the equipment and put together their own shows."

"Full training is available," said Roger Drury of the radio project. "We'll help with technical requirements, equipment, editing and final presentation.

"Forest of Dean Community Radio offers people an opportunity to reach as many as 70,000 local residents within our own transmission area, so taking time to learn how to use the equipment could be time very well spent if you have a message you're looking to put out."

Everyone is welcome to attend The Listening Tours, which start next week at Coleford Community Centre on Monday March 11 at 7pm.

The following evening the tour will move to the Cinderford Family Links Rooms (Tuesday March 12), Sedbury Village Hall on Wednesday March 13 at 7pm, Lydney Library on Thursday (7pm) and Newent Youth and Community Centre on Saturday March 16 at 10.30am. Each meeting will last around 90 minutes.

Unlike commercial radio stations where the emphasis is on advertisers and sponsors, Forest of Dean Community Radio is set-up as a training and community resource that will be funded primarily through membership, fundraising activities and donations.

Further information is available by telephoning 01594 542452 or by logging on to the Forest of Dean Community Radio website http://www.fodradio.org">www.fodradio.org