MAIDSTONE is to have its own full-time radio voice by the end of the year after 20/20FM won a six-way battle to rule the county town's airwaves.

The jubilant team behind the successful Maidstone Radio bid enjoyed a few glasses of bubbly before getting down to the serious business of putting their radio station on air.

20/20FM (Maidstone Radio Limited) was one of six applicants for the eight-year licence advertised by the Radio Authority last autumn. After examining all the bids in detail, officials gave their blessing to Maidstone Radio.

In a statement, the company pledged: "20/20 will be a vibrant, entertaining and full-time service with broad appeal that will swiftly become an essential part of Maidstone life with its comprehensive local news, views and information mixed with a wide variety of music from today's greatest hits and the best songs from the last four decades."

Jon Maxfield, an experienced Maidstone-based broadcaster and managing director of Maidstone Radio, said: "I'm delighted for everybody who played a part in 20/20. So many people have put so much time and effort into the project."

The new station would give Maidstone, its people and businesses a voice for the first time.

"It's been a long time coming and I don't think our commitment to the town could be stronger.

"We will provide the voice that a lot of people have been crying out for. The population of Maidstone will have a platform as will local Maidstone businesses that until now have not had the luxury of being able to use radio like businesses in other parts of the county."

He added: "I am delighted that the Radio Authority has recognised our group's history and commitment to the Maidstone area.

"We were always confident that our truly local approach, in terms of programming plans, directors and shareholders would be successful and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed not only to 20/20 FM's successful licence bid, but also to our many broadcasts over the years.

"20/20 FM is committed to providing our town with the mix of music, local news and information it deserves and has been asking for over recent years."

As part of its campaign, the station ran several 28-day "trial" broadcasts in the Maidstone area under various names -- Maidstone Festival Radio (MFR), County Town Radio (CTR) and more recently 20/20 FM. This name could change by the time the station goes on air.

20/20 has a large number of individual and business backers, including the Kent Messenger, a minority stakeholder.

The new station is expected to go on air in the autumn from studios in central Maidstone, probably in Mill Street, and employ 10 people.

Chairman Mike Nash added: "Having won the licence, we will now be looking to involve the local community as much as possible in our preparations to get the station on air.

"This will be a local radio station for local people. There will be opportunities for local charities and voluntary groups to get their messages on air and we will be on the lookout for information about events and news stories from everyone who lives in the Maidstone area."

Mr Maxfield was chairman of Maidstone Hospital Radio from 1979, advised on the setting up of various stations, and was closely involved in successful bids by KFM in Tonbridge and Medway FM.

He launched Thanet Local Radio, one of the most successful small radio stations in the country, and went on to become group programme controller for the Kent Messenger Group, owner of five radio stations.