Popular presenter Rob Persani, who has been working with the county council on a replacement radio station for Rutland has spoken of the 'journey' of the progress made to date.

His comments come as a meeting of Rutland Council this month is recommended to approve that a community radio station is launched, as recently reported by Nub News.

Since Rutland Radio was rebranded in August, as also reported by Nub News, which saw Mr Persani leave the station, he and the county council have been working on plans for a community radio station to serve Rutland and Stamford.

The popular presenter said on Facebook: "Well, I had no idea this time last year that I would be taking a break from waking you up in the morning, nor have an amazing chance to build something new and to be part of your life in Rutland and Stamford again."

He commented: "It has been an immensely busy journey to this point of the Rutland Community Radio project, and as I reflect on 2020, I wanted to share with you what I have been doing since September.

"My Project Manager role is unique – no other Council in the country has backed an initiative in this way to support the feasibility and sustainability of a new local radio service for the area.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that local and community have come to the fore. In our area they have always been highly important and the Council recognises that, which is why they decided to support this Project in such a unique way.

"It has only been 14 weeks since I started this adventure. From the outset it has been important that you, the Rutland and Stamford community, are at the heart of this Project, which is why we have asked you for your thoughts on radio, wellbeing and how connected you are with the locality.

"You have also helped recruit a voluntary Independent Project Board. This is made up of immensely passionate and experienced people from across Rutland and Stamford with expertise in all sorts of areas, from business to accountancy, marketing to community, and of course radio."

He continued: "We started regular meetings straight away and my ideas have been heavily scrutinised, challenged and, in the main, supported which I have really welcomed. Indeed, when there have been doubts, I have returned with better alternatives.

"I have spoken to local radio stations around the country, about how they operate and how they have adapted this year to meet the needs of their local areas.

"I have looked at new technology and seen how this has the potential to take a radio station closer to its community than ever before.

"I have been overwhelmed by the support of local businesses, listeners and volunteers, all waiting to be a part of the project as the feasibility study moves into its next phase.

"The enthusiasm for this project locally is huge and I have been lucky to have the support of the Council and much of the community since I came here in 1998, even more so now."

He added: "I know that all you want to find out is what, where and when. Well, very soon I will be able to share details of the next part of our project, and the name you will see and come to call your own. It was the most popular in our survey, which over 1100 people took part in. So thank you if you were one of those who completed it; it was such a great insight for me.

"I invite you to join me as we take the Community Radio Project into its next exciting phase in Rutland and Stamford. Watch this space!"

Rutland County Council cabinet is set to meet virtually on Tuesday January 12 to consider the proposals.

The papers for the meeting will be published on Rutland County Council's website.