COMMUNITY radio in Thornbury has taken another step forward with a breakthrough in negotiations with Ofcom.

GLOSS FM, which relaunched in July, has discovered it has been invited by the government regulator to submit an “Expression of Interest” for a local radio service for Thornbury and District.

This step, which will open the door to the station being able to permanently transmit an FM signal to the area, making the service easier for everyone to listen to, marks a major U-turn from Ofcom who have refused applications for more than six years.

The town’s former station, Thornbury FM, was founded in 2005, before rebranding as GLOSS FM in 2010 as it tried to expand to cover all of South Gloucestershire.

The venture however came to an end a year later after issues with obtaining an FM frequency licence.

But having relaunched in the summer, the station is now working towards obtaining the licence, and secure permanent premises to operate from.

The change of heart comes after GLOSS FM’s management escalated their complaint to the regulator’s CEO Sharon White, along with interventions from Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall.

“It’s a nice surprise” said station director Glyn Roylance, “but there is still a long way to go before the next stage when they invite applications.”

“The application for a licence takes a lot of work so the station will be forming a task force to build a successful application.”

Mr Hall added: "I was encouraged to hear that after raising this issue with Ofcom many times over the last two months in support of Gloss FM that they have now agreed to take further expressions of interests for FM licenses.

“I am certain that Glyn and the team will make a strong case in this further round, and I am pleased we have been listened to on this issue"

The station will be seeking support in terms of premises, funding and skilled volunteers. If you can help in any way, please contact glyn@glossfm.co.uk. You can listen to the station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.glossfm.co.uk.