Bosses at Estuary FM are considering their next move as the station's temporary licence is set to expire at the end of the week.

Investment in a full time station or setting up a radio school are among the options under consideration.

MAT WATSON investigates.

Estuary FM is performing extensive market research to establish listener numbers and viability for another full-time station in the area.

However, without sufficient demand for the service the company will not be able to get a permanent licence from the Radio Authority.

Station manager, Alan Johnson, 35, said: "We are keen to know what people think of us. Once we have gauged public response we will decide what to do next."

Under the rules governing temporary licences, the station will have to wait four months to go on-air again, unless it is granted a permanent licence.

In the meantime staff at Estuary FM may use their talents to provide coaching to others who want to get into the radio industry.

Estuary FM went on-air on July 15, this year on a restricted services licence, covering Shoebury to Leigh and Canvey to Rochford but broadcasting will cease on Friday.

It was set up by brothers Clive and Alan Johnson to test the market for a new local FM radio station in the area.

It has taken them more than three years to set up.

Alan, a manager at a local firm of accountants, said: "This is as a business venture although it has always been an ambition of mine to run an RSL radio station and I've always fancied being a DJ."

The station targeted mainly adult audiences with its programme style with 80 per cent contemporary music and 20 per cent talk.

The DJs have been a mixture of newcomers and industry veterans such as Geoff Cullen and Dave Gregory.

Guest hosts have included Rochford and Southend East Conservative MP Sir Teddy Taylor.

He presented a couple of shows and interviewed Southend mayor Graham Longley and Adventure Island boss, Phillip Miller.

Other interviewees on the station have included acting star Sean Bean and entertainer Shane Richie.

Alan said: "We have been an alternative option to listening to the existing radio stations.

"Essex FM is youth-orientated with a dance music format.

"Breeze AM is a good service but on the medium wave, and that is not particularly appealing.

"And BBC Essex is predominantly talk based."

Southend West Conservative MP David Amess is a keen listener of Estuary FM and fully supports to the station.

He said: "I think it's essential that communities are served by local radio.

"The team at Estuary FM have managed to sustain a live 24-hour service from their studios in Southend, and what I've heard I have found to be extremely professional, entertaining and relevant to the local area."

The station's founders believe the developments at Breeze AM and Essex FM have opened up a niche in the local radio market which they are keen to exploit.

Clive Johnson said: "GWR's policy of providing universal-sounding, effectively nationally-networked programmes open up fresh opportunities for local stations like Estuary FM."

He added: "We are passionate about delivering real listener choice and promoting the skill of great broadcasters living in our area."

Alan welcomes comments on their service from the public and supporters are encouraged to write to the station at PO Box 5468 Southend SS1 1FX.

Alternatively you can send your opinions on e-mail to comments@estuaryfm.co.uk

On air - Estuary FM presenter Geoff Cullen, right, in the studio with Steve Farrow, standing, and Alan Johnson, who double as directors of the station along with Clive Johnson as well as presenting

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.