Radio Northleach, a community radio station boasting some of the youngest presenters in the UK is to rebrand as it becomes too big for its town.

Set up in response to lockdown by father and son, Keith and Richard Blundell, the community station is to become Cotswold Radio after its initial success.

It hit the airwaves on Friday, March 27, with a log-in of just nine but has seen this grow to three figure audiences reaching across the north and south Cotswolds, as well as Denmark, Australia, Scotland and Yorkshire.

Keith Blundell, the founder, puts the rapid rise down to 'family and community'.

He said: “We started off with a very simple formula of live broadcasting; a breakfast show, weekly quiz, a sports hour and community information.

“During the lockdown Cllr Paul Hodgkinson would be a regular on the airwaves to inform people about the latest political and government developments linked to the coronavirus.

"Since its inception we have grown as a team and have a six-year-old presenter, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old, which is helping us engage with a younger audience.

“One of our presenters does it from Australia and sends the broadcast over live via a livestream.”

As part of the development plans, the radio station has moved into The Old Prison in Northleach, and shares the space with the Relish Group’s Old Prison Café.

Keith said: “Relish have been instrumental in this great move, the staff have been fabulous and fully supportive of this venture and for us it’s a bonus as we have delicious food and hot drinks available both during and after shows."

To celebrate the rebrand and moving to the Old Prison, Cotswold Radio is opening its studio door during the afternoon of September 12 to enable visitors and customers to the venue and café the chance to see the presenters in action.

"We have invited Northleach Primary School into help educate its students in broadcasting and have offered our facilities to help them understand what we do here as soon as Covid limitations ease”, Keith explained.

“This is largely thanks to Annabelle Belcher who worked with the school as well as Dr. Paul Johnson who has also offered up so many of his time to get this project off the ground."

“The studio doors are open to all so we hope to see a few down here,” said Prison café acting manager Tim Ashton.

“It will be great to see Keith, Richard and the team at work in the studio and it’s another great reason to visit The Old Prison, with the opportunity to also enjoy lunch or afternoon tea with family and friends.”

All necessary Covid precautions will be in place and numbers will be managed to adhere to the rules.