CHORLEY FM -- comin' in yer ears! Anyone who's heard of Bolton-born comedian Peter Kay will no doubt have heard of Chorley FM, the fictional radio station he created as a joke.

And would you believe it, Peter's comic creation could well become a reality if the Radio Authority approve a licence for a community radio station throughout the Chorley Midsummer Festival in June and July.

Organisers of the festival -- which takes place from June 30-July 14 -- are hoping their application for a two-week licence to broadcast throughout the event will be granted, so that a range of community groups can promote themselves on-air.

Funnyman Peter first came up with the idea for Chorley FM in a one-off show for Channel 4 in 1998 called The Services.

He told the Citizen: "I came up with this presenter called Paul Leroy and originally it was a toss-up between Wigan or Chorley FM.

"I know Chorley really well and being slightly rural and not like a city I thought it could do with its own radio station -- so Chorley FM was born."

But rather than hearing smooth-talking DJs, listeners to Chorley FM are more likely to hear the strapline: "You're listening to Chorley FM, coming in your ears", or the altogether more cheesy: "Chorley FM -- where the listener comes first!" Throughout Peter's first full series, That Peter Kay Thing, numerous references were made to the fictional station.

And in his recent series, Phoenix Nights, about a struggling variety club owner in Bolton, it was mentioned in every single episode.

Peter said: "I am going to continue using Chorley FM in everything I do now as it would be a shame to let it go. The fact that it might become a reality is great, although a bit strange.

"I haven't been approached to help or anything and it's still early days, but I look forward to the seeing if it happens."

Chris Mellor, arts development officer for Chorley Borough Council, said: "I really hope we can get the licence to broadcast throughout the festival as it will give a voice to a lot of groups who are involved.

"I'm really excited about the idea of Chorley having a radio station of its very own and if Peter Kay was willing to get involved that would be even better!"

The council arranged an open meeting at Astley Hall on Monday (April 2) for people wanting to get involved either in presenting or the technical side.

Anyone wanting more information should call Call Glen Woodroofe on 01257 515320.