PURBECK Coast FM – Swanage’s community radio station – will cease broadcasting next month, it has been revealed.

The station, started in 2017, has announced it will leave the airwaves on Thursday, February 15, due to a “lack of funding and practical pressures”.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the station has been unable to secure sponsorship amid rising running costs.

“Despite everyone’s best efforts it has not been possible to resolve these issues,” a spokesperson for the Swanage Pier Trust, which managed the station, said.

“(The Trust) has therefore reluctantly taken the decision to close Purbeck Coast FM.”

The station has acted as a community hub, noticeboard and media training facility for young people.

But the financial climate meant it was unable to continue.

“Sadly, the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis had a huge effect on the station’s day-to-day operating costs, as well as its inability to secure sponsorship from local businesses who are also feeling the effect,” the spokesperson went on.

“Swanage Pier Trust are extremely grateful to our station manager and the incredible team of over 40 volunteers who have worked tirelessly on this project from the beginning, which has earned them recognition in two categories at the National Community Radio Awards.”

Chief executive of the Trust, Ben Adeney, said: “As founder of the project, it is a great disappointment that we were unable to secure the support we needed for the station to continue.

“We would like to thank all the volunteers, members of the public, local businesses and organisations for their support over the years.”