RADIO For Maidstone, one of the groups bidding for the licence to run a radio station serving the Maidstone area, this week announced the latest additions to its board.

They are magistrate Peter Ludgate, farmer Doug Worley, businessman Chris Linstead, county councillor Richard King, and radio programmer Paul Chantler.

All five will be non-executive directors of the company. They join executive directors Nigel Reeve and Roger Day, and non-executive director Nick Jordan, on the board.

Mr Reeve, a former chief executive of Invicta FM, and Mr Day, a former Invicta FM programme director, are heading up the company.

Radio For Maidstone, which was formed in 1989, is one of four groups who have so far announced their intention to bid for the licence.

The other groups are 20/20 FM, Absolute Radio Kent and Maidstone Local Radio.

Mr Reeve said: "Radio For Maidstone is a local group made up of some of the UK's leading radio specialists. However, we wanted to strengthen our board by bringing in some leading figures from the local community.

"Our board now has a tremendous mixture of local knowledge and radio experience. "

The Radio Authority, the body responsible for licensing and regulating all commercial radio services in the United Kingdom, says it will grant the licence for a maximum period of eight years.

It expects to be able to make a decision about who gets the licence next spring. The closing date for the submission of completed applications is Tuesday, January 7, 2003.