RADIO For Maidstone, one of the groups bidding for the licence to run a radio station serving the area, this week announced as additions to its board magistrate Peter Ludgate, farmer Doug Worley, businessman Chris Linstead, county councillor Richard King, and radio programmer Paul Chantler.

All five will be non-executive directors. They join executive directors Nigel Reeve, a former chief executive of Invicta FM, and Roger Day, a former Invicta FM programme director, who head up the company.

Radio For Maidstone, formed in 1989, is one of four groups which have so far announced their intention to bid for the licence. The others are 20/20 FM, Absolute Radio Kent and Maidstone Local Radio.

Mr Reeve said: "Radio For Maidstone is a local group made up of some of the UK's leading radio specialists. However, we wanted to strengthen our board by bringing in some leading figures from the local community. Our board now has a tremendous mixture of local knowledge and radio experience. "

The Radio Authority, the body responsible for licensing and regulating all commercial radio services in the United Kingdom, says it will grant the licence for a maximum period of eight years.

It expects to be able to make a decision about who gets the licence next spring. The closing date for completed applications is Tuesday, January 7, 2003.