A community radio station in Leicester has come forward to try and fill part of the gap left which will by Hermitage FM and Radio Carillon on AM.

The Coalville-based station announced last month that it would be closing.

Jon and Jan Sketchley, who have been running the service and a community coffee lounge in Memorial Square, said that closure was 'unavoidable'.

Cllr Richard Blunt has publicly said that anyone who wanted to come forward and keep the station going was welcome to approach North West Leicestershire District Council.

Now, LCR2, a wellbeing station in Leicester has made contact with a view to keeping the AM 1476 Carillon service on air.

Pete Degnan, from Leicester Community Radio, has written an open letter which reads: "Our focus is upon wellbeing content, and we are run by a dedicated team of volunteers. Our focus has always been upon the bigger issues and the wider area.

"I regularly interview a number of councillors and MPs and have had a few enquiries regarding the Carillon service as the service that we provide is very similar, and there is some overlap with respect to the coverage areas. The enquiries have been asking if we, at LCR2, could possibly continue the service?

"If Ofcom did re-advertise the 1476am license, we would apply today without hesitation, and feel we may be successful. We ran the 1287am service from Leicester General Hospital for 20 years, and we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year.

"However, our understanding is that Ofcom does not intend to re-advertise the AM license, and therefore we are contacting yourselves as I am told transfer of this license is the only way it can continue."

LCR are not looking to take on the FM service, which Hermitage FM currently broadcasts on.

Mr Degnan added: "We believe our intentions are very similar to yourselves, to provide a health and wellbeing service, and our ethos has always been to grow and expand the service by bringing people on board.

"Our biggest obstacle at the moment is not having a good broadcast platform, which gives the project credibility. 

"It is for this reason we are most interested in the 1476am license, although I am assured it also has a loyal following of supporters of AM radios still. We would be looking to build upon the admirable success of Radio Carillon, and hope we can continue the legacy.

"It has been suggested we should hold a public meeting to allow stakeholders to express their views and feedback as to how the service should be formed and operate."