SUPPORTERS of Kent Messenger-owned KM-fm radio got together to celebrate the station successfully achieving the chance to broadcast for another seven years.

The station, which transmits in the Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks areas, recently applied to the Radio Authority for a further seven-year licence to broadcast and was successful.

Around 70 business representatives, local dignitaries and members of the Kent Messenger Group enjoyed an evening of Cocktails and Canapés at the Hop Farm in Beltring, near Paddock Wood, to mark the occasion.

It was also a chance for management and staff to thank the local business community for supporting the station in its bid to retain its licence. Paul Harvey, KM-fm sales manager, said: "This was our way of thanking the business community for supporting us through letters of support, which we attached to our application, and which the Radio Authority congratulated us on, saying they were of the highest quality.

"We had to reapply for our licence and we were challenged on it, but we saw off that challenge."

KM-fm was formerly branded Mercury FM before being acquired by KM Radio Limited, part of the Kent Messenger Group, back in March.

KM chief executive David Lewis, who joined Tunbridge Wells deputy mayor David Wakefield and others at the Hop Farm to celebrate the event, said: "We are delighted that the Radio Authority has granted us the licence for another term. We are committed to providing the very best local radio service for the community, delivering really relevant local news and information."