Radio station petition handed in

Lorraine Barrett AM with campaigner Michelle Black and some of the youths involved

A 2,000 signature petition has been handed in by campaigners hoping to keep a community radio station on air.

Cardiff South and Penarth AM Lorraine Barrett met them and said she was hopeful Radio Cardiff had a future.

It has only been able to broadcast music in the Cardiff Bay area through a "robot DJ" since funding ran out.

It had started broadcasting last October, after winning a five year licence, but was forced to stop its regular shows earlier this month.

Talks have been held about a potential partnership with the University of Glamorgan.

Radio Cardiff was tied in the local training providers Immtech, and they worked together to allow youngsters to gain DJ training in order to build a career.

But the station was forced to stop its roster of shows, which involves volunteer DJs and presenters, after its funding from the Welsh Assembly Government's Communities First programme ran out.

The assembly government has previously said no fresh application for funding had been received.

Local resident Michelle Black organised the petition.

I'm pretty sure Radio Cardiff will come back Lorraine Barrett AM

She said: "These things come and go but this time I wanted to do something - it was a wonderful community service."

Ms Barrett, who has appeared on the station, confirmed that talks had been held with the University of Glamorgan.

She said: "We're hopeful they will be a partner of Radio Cardiff. Community radio needs partners."

She thanked Ms Black.

"There's a lot of good will in the community, this kind of thing gets people involved. I'm pretty sure Radio Cardiff will come back," she said

Georgina Sammut, a volunteer for community radio stations for many years, said she had switch off the broadcasts.

"There were hundreds of people involved, it was a huge shame.

"It provides a voice for those who would otherwise be alienated."

Wayne Evans, who has been made redundant as a tutor with Immtech, said the trainees would also be affected.

"The staff can travel or can go somewhere else. What have the students got? They've been left with nothing."