A new Fm radio station can now be heard in homes around Newton Abbot after Coombeshead College launched its new frequency 87.7fm for the first time on Thursday last week.

Before the start of this term, the station had an am frequency and could only be picked up within the school grounds. However, as the college has now been granted an fm licence residents throughout the market town can tune in.

It is hoped that in the future it could be developed into a community based station. 'It really is brilliant news for the school. I think we are the only school south of Bristol to have an fm license,' said Matt Ward, station manager of Coombeshead Radio.

'I will be going on courses and seeing if it is worth developing it in to a community station. There is definitely room for one in Newton Abbot. 'The station is now very clear and can be heard as far afield as Powderham Hill, Canada Hill, Stover and Kingsteignton.

'With the transmitter, we have the capabilities of transmitting right across the South Hams.' Year nine pupil Andy Teed, who has been involved in the school radio station for nearly two years, launched the first fm show. 'It's fantastic that we have gone Fm,' he said. 'I got involved as I thought it would be something I would enjoy.'

At present, the station has around 30 DJs and the college and has set up a radio club for Year 7 pupils who want to learn more about the station.