A RADIO station celebrating Ramadan starts broadcasting in Bolton today (Tuesday). Radio Ramadan will be on air 24 hours a day until December 7.

People can tune into the religious station on frequency 87.7 FM and broadcasts will be aimed at the Muslim community.

Mian Aqeel Akhtar, one of Radio Ramadan's organisers, said: "It is a religious station for Muslims. Ramadan is our holy month. There will be speakers from different mosques."

Broadcasts will also feature Naat Competitions and live debates.This will be the third year Radio Ramadan has been broadcast in Bolton.

This year the Radio Authority has issued a record number of short term restricted service licences for religious broadcasts focusing on the observance of Ramadan. Up until the end of October the Authority issued 392 short term licences for a whole range of services, including trial broadcasts and coverage of local events.

Richard Hooper, Chair of the Radio Authority said: "We are delighted to see the growing interest in these licences. This is the highest number of short-term RSLs to be issued for Ramadan in the authority's 12 year history.

"This emphasises the importance of this scheme and the opportunities it offers to all those wanting to get on-air and demonstrates clearly our commitment to religious broadcasting."