A NEW community radio service will soon be available to residents in Overton.

The service for the village will officially launch on Sunday, July 30, with BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell ‘cutting the ribbon’ at The Red Lion pub.

The service which is available on digital devices, such as smart speakers, will officially open while launching its ‘Thanks A Million’ campaign. 

The campaign encourages people to spend £5 a week more with an Overton business to bolster the village economy by £1m a year.

READ MORE: 24 Swan Street: £525k must be raised to save popular dance school

Devised by residents Rob Francis and David Harber, the non-profit enterprise will provide a 24-hour-a-day information and entertainment service for people who ‘live, work and play’ in Overton, Freefolk and nearby villages.

Rob said: “We are passionate about promoting our beautiful village.

“Overton Radio will not just be a great listening experience, but we’ll use our marketing platforms to encourage people to shop local.”

David added: “If our village of almost 4,000 adults spent a fiver more a week in a local shop or business, rather than online or with a national chain, it will contribute a million pounds a year to the local economy.

SEE ALSO: Councillor's call for Old Down Woodland Park to be protected

“High street businesses and the people who run those businesses are struggling. We will spell out to residents the benefits of spending just a fiver more locally, to prevent the loss of the likes of butchers, greengrocers and hardware stores. We really want people to shop like their high street depends on it."

The radio service which claims to broadcast from a telephone box in Winchester Street can be heard on any internet-connected device, including smart speakers such as Amazon's Alexa.

Rob added: "We are determined to deliver an easy and entertaining way for people to learn about all the amazing things that happen in and around our village. To listen all you need to do is ask your smart speaker to ‘Play Overton Radio’."