Radio fans throughout the area are looking forward to the arrival of the new Rutland and Stamford Sound radio station which launches this weekend.

Rob Persani will be at the controls when the radio station begins broadcasting at 8am on Friday 5th March, a little later than the usual 6am start for the show.

After more than twenty years of local broadcasting, Rob is a familiar voice in the area. He will be getting back behind the controls to present the breakfast show.

Listeners know him from the former Radio Rutland, where he could be heard up until the summer of 2020.

Since last Autumn, Rob has been driving plans to bring a new station to the area. He worked as Project Manager on a feasibility study with Rutland County Council.

More recently he has continued as project manager and key presenter with Rutland and Stamford Sound. This is the independent radio station which operates as a Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit organisation which meets the needs of local people.

Rob said: "I'm excited to be bringing a mix of great music and local news when I start the breakfast show."

Rob will not be working alone. He is one of a team of nine voices launching the local radio station.

"We've got a brilliant line-up of presenters and shows, all with local connections. There will be well-known voices and some newcomers and every broadcaster shares a love for the Rutland and Stamford area."

In common with all new radio stations, Rutland and Stamford Sound will start online. Listeners can find the station using web-based and smart technology.

Rob explained: "You can listen to the radio online via Computer, Tablet, Mobile Phone, Smart Speaker, Smart TV and in-car systems.

"All the information about how to access the station is on our website, rutlandandstamfordsound.co.uk which is where you can also find about the schedule and presenters."

Rutland and Stamford Sound is the name chosen by 61% of 1,107 votes in a local poll conducted in the Autumn of 2021. The station's logo and artwork have been created by a local designer, with pictures taken by a photographer in the area.

Fans follow the radio station through local newspapers, on social media, with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The station achieved a reach of over 20,000 in the first two weeks of launching their social media feed in early February 2021.

The radio station is managed by a Board of Directors, all of whom are volunteers and residents from the Rutland and Stamford Area.

Board members have good community links and strong business, volunteer, wellbeing and broadcast skills & experience.