Kent’s radio station kmfm has seen its audience grow for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Official audience data released by Rajar this morning shows the station has added 56,000 new listeners over the last year. That means 200,000 people are now tuning in every week.

Breakfast with Garry and Chelsea welcomed 15,000 new listeners over the last quarter, meaning the show how has more listeners in Kent then Radio 1’s Greg James.

BBC Radio Kent, where bosses are planning to reduce the amount of locally-produced content, saw its audience drop again to 172,000 weekly listeners.

Kmfm broadcasts exclusively from Kent to Kent and programme director Rob Wills welcomed today’s audience news.

He said: “Thank you if you are one of our new listeners but also a huge thanks if you have been with us for months or years.

“I know how many radio stations and streaming platforms there are to choose from, and we work hard to ensure that we entertain and inform you whilst giving you the hits and chances to win prizes.

“We will continue to prove how important local commercial radio is to audiences and businesses.”

Juliet Owen, head of commercial at KM Media Group, said: “Seeing kmfm grow is a real testament to the hard work and passion that we as a business have for the future of radio.

“As we continue to grow, so does the technology that we are investing in, meaning there are now more exciting and targeted ways of reaching our audience to promote your business.”