MORE people are tuning in to kmfm, the KM Group's local radio stations, and they are listening for longer, according to the latest audience figures.

Total audience across the eight stations is 192,000 a week, a growth of 18, 000 since October 2006, says the independent audience research group RAJAR.

Weekly listening hours are 10.1 and total hours have increased by 21.5 per cent to 1,947 from 1,603, which represents an eight per cent market share.

Penny Williams, head of radio for kmfm, said: "This is a great result for us. .

"We're really proud of the unique mix of local news and variety of music. We've also been involved with some great promotions The Mini and the Money and our local bands website has really got Kent talking. It also reinforces our commitment to local music."

Group programme controller Steve Fountain said: "This really goes to show that by being local you really can win.

"We've made some vital adjustments to what we do and turned up the notch on localism over the last 12 months and it's really working for us.

"We're really pleased. I will also say that by listening to what your audience wants is crucial – we do that."

The KM Group stations are: kmfm for Thanet on 107.2, kmfm for Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay on 106, kmfm for Shepway and White Cliffs Country on 106.8 and 96.4, kmfm for Medway on 100.4 and 107.9, kmfm for West Kent on 101.6 and 96.2, kmfm for Ashford on 107.6, CTR fm in Maidstone on 105.6 and kmfm DAB.