Chris and Kerry Cole, Cross Rhythms Founders

It's time for a celebration at Cross Rhythms after the fabulous announcement that one of the three Cross Rhythms FM radio stations, Cross Rhythms Plymouth, has been granted a five year extension to its broadcasting licence!

Launched in March 2007, Cross Rhythms Plymouth will now continue to broadcast on 96.3FM until at least 2017 after Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, gave the station the go-ahead for five more years.

Cross Rhythms Plymouth is the only community radio station in Plymouth and one of only a handful across Devon. Community radio licences are for small-scale, not-for-profit radio stations operated for the good of members of the public, or of particular communities, and in order to deliver social gain.

Like the other Cross Rhythms stations in Stoke and Teesside, Cross Rhythms Plymouth's broadcasting output is designed to appeal to everyone in the community, focussing on community life in the city and founded on Christian values.

Cross Rhythms founder Chris Cole, who lives in Plymouth with his wife Kerry, and oversees the Plymouth station, said he was delighted that Ofcom had granted the five year extension.

"We have invested around £200,000 in setting up and running the station over the last five years and are thrilled that all the hard work has paid off with the granting of this licence extension.

"Virtually all of the finance for establishing and running the station has been provided by generous donations from individuals and churches and from a small number of grants," he said. "This has enabled us to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year since 2007."

The full 24 hour, 7 day a week station, Cross Rhythms Plymouth is a remarkable story of growth in the city, for it was here in the 1980's that the small beginnings of Cross Rhythms began, when Chris presented a half hour radio show on Plymouth Sound.

During the 80s and 90s this show, called the Cross Rhythms Experience, grew to one hour and was syndicated to 25 other stations in the UK and overseas.

For the last five years Cross Rhythms Plymouth has not only provided a regular platform for churches, church leaders and ministries, but also for a wide range of community organisations, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Devon & Cornwall Police, Probation Service, YMCA, Youth Parliament, Community Health and many more.

Cross Rhythms Plymouth has also played a key role in the publication of a local Faith Action Audit, partnering with Churches Together in Plymouth, Cornerstone Vision and the University of Plymouth's Social and Public Policy Research Group, and looking at the contribution of faith groups to the area.

"We are looking forward to the next five years with excitement and optimism," said Chris. "The current economic difficulties which many families in the city face means that our message of Christian love and hope has never been more relevant."

News of the five year licence extension has been welcomed by civic and church leaders in the city.

Vivien Pengelly

Plymouth City Council Leader Vivien Pengelly said: "I am delighted that Ofcom have awarded Cross Rhythms a further five year extension on their license. The platform the radio provides in promoting so many community projects is vital for the city."

Gary Streeter MP for South West Devon commented: "I am thrilled to learn that Cross Rhythms is to continue for another five years, serving the Plymouth community and offering its unique blend of Christian music and inspirational talks."

And Chris Clewer, Chair of Churches Together in Plymouth said: "The station has been just as popular for those without a Christian outlook, especially among the younger generation who just love the music. This station carries such a positive, up-lifting ethos; it goes to the heart of good citizenship where it is most needed! Cross Rhythms has never been more needed to do what it does best - to speak into the soul of the city, it's social and spiritual well-being."

For more information or to listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth visit www.crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth.