HertBeat are celebrating after The Radio Authority awarded them the licence to run Hertford's independent local radio station.

The local bid by HertBeat (formerly Radio Hertford) was up against competition from Stag FM, owned by The Daily Mail Radio Group, who also operate Ten17 in Harlow and Oasis FM in St.Albans.

HertBeat's Robert Owen said "What a great victory for the people of Hertfordshire. We have consistently said that local people have the talent and ability to run their own radio station. Now the Radio Authority says that it agrees."

HertBeat's application to run the local station had the backing of the area's three MPs and many councillors, businesses and organisations. In addition, there was written support from over 2800 individuals.

In October 1998, Radio Hertford was granted a Restricted Service Licence to broadcast to the town for two weeks. This gave the organisation the chance to prove their professionalism and give the people of Hertford an idea of how the local station might sound.

The station will open in the early Autumn and broadcast to a potential 250,000 adults in Hertford, Ware, Welwyn, Hatfield, Stevenage and surrounding villages.

To see The Radio Authorities' announcement click here.

To see The Radio Authorities' assessment of HertBeat's application click here.