DORSET residents can look forward to tuning in to a new radio station.

Serenade Radio will be launching on DAB across the county on August 1.

It will play "melodic favourites" from Frank Sinatra and the Carpenters to Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr and Bing Crosby.

Described as easy listening it will be staffed entirely by volunteer veteran radio presenters.

Founder and station manager Andy Marriott launched the service five years ago as an online radio station.

He has now chosen Bournemouth for its broadcasts on DAB – "given the loneliness experienced by so many older listeners during this time of Covid-19".

Andy said: "Amidst all the pop on other radio stations, we felt there was an appetite for a grown-up radio station – with real music from the finest composers and performers alongside the company of a friendly team of gifted, warm presenters. If you’re aged over 60, there is so little around to listen to these days - but we’ve changed that."

He added: "Because the station relies on donations to survive and takes no advertising, we have to be very selective about where we invest in DAB broadcasts – so where better than here."