Would-be radio journalists in the Rutland and Stamford area are encourage to apply for an opportunity to be part of a professional radio station.

Rutland and Stamford Sound independent community radio station has an opportunity for a volunteer journalist to contribute to the radio station, website and social media presence.

"This is a great opportunity for a student on a journalism or broadcast media course who wants to start out in radio," says Programme Manager and Breakfast Presenter Rob Persani.

"This could equally suit a recent graduate from one of these courses. The role is for an unpaid volunteer, but it offers a great opportunity for anybody looking for their first step in radio journalism."

Rob should know about this: he started in broadcasting as a volunteer on his college radio station and has worked in broadcasting ever since.

He's been the well-known voice of breakfast radio in the Rutland and Stamford area for more than twenty years.

Now he is at the helm of the new local community radio station, Rutland and Stamford Sound, which has been live since March this year.

"A volunteer radio journalist will be expected to operate to Ofcom standards, working alongside professional broadcasters who all have a wide range of experience," says Rob.

"The station offers training in the role as a volunteer and in formal aspects of broadcast media, as well as lots of support."

The role involves gathering, writing, producing, recording and broadcasting local news for a target audience of 60,000 people in the Rutland and Stamford area. The station operates entirely online.

Budding journalists can apply by email to [email protected]