JONATHAN Grant, a corporate finance partner in the law firm asb law, has joined the board of Maidstone Local Radio -- one of the groups bidding to run an independent radio station for the county town.

Mr Grant has practised in Maidstone for several years and is an active member of the Institute of Director and chairman of Maidstone and Mid-Kent Young Enterprise Board. He is also a regular speaker at conferences on commercial and corporate financial issues.

MLR chairman Jill Cochrane said: "Jonathan's professional and business experience brings a new dimension to MLR and reinforces our commitment to working with people of the highest calibre."

MLR is currently undertaking detailed research on what sort of radio station is wanted by the people of Maidstone and the surrounding villages and has pledged to deliver a "bright, relevant and informative" mix of music and local news.