RADIO watchdogs have cleared the way for the Kent Messenger Group to take charge of two radio stations in the county. The Radio Authority said that KMG's acquisition of a controlling interest in Medway FM - broadcast on 107.9 and 100.4 - and the full acquisition of Kent and Sussex Radio, which holds the licence for Mercury Tonbridge (96.2 and 101.6) "could not be expected to operate against the public interest".

The authority was obliged to carry out a "public interest test" before giving permission. This involved interviewing listeners across Medway, West Kent and other areas reached by both stations.

The authority imposed two conditions; that KMG should maintain a separate news facility with editorial control separate from the company's newspapers; and that there should be no conditional selling between any KMG interest and Medway FM. KMG managing director David Lewis said: "We are pleased to have satisfied the Radio Authority with particular regard to the public interest test.

"It gives us confidence to continue our long-term investment plan in local radio in the county. We were dependent on the authority giving us the green light and we can now press on to prove to the listeners and the business people of the area that it is in a safe pair of hands. We have a history of investment in local publishing, and local radio is going to be equally safe in our hands. We have a long term investment plan for local radio in Kent and Medway and we are prepared to fund it."

KMG was given the nod just as the West Kent licence, covering Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, was coming up for its regular seven-year renewal. Mr Lewis said the company would defend the challenge to its licence.

A public interest test is triggered when a relevant local newspaper or connected company bids for a local radio licence. KMG also owns Thanet Local Radio and controlling stakes in CTFM Canterbury and Neptune Radio, broadcasting to Folkestone and Dover.