People in the Abingdon area could be tuning into their own local radio station next year.

Trial broadcasts are expected to be held in the summer and Christmas by UK Local Radio Ltd. No other potential bidders have yet come forward.

Communications industry regulator Ofcom has identified 35 regions for new stations, including the Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage area, and decide an operator next year.

UK Local Radio Ltd has helped support groups with stations in Lancashire but Abingdon would be its first stand-alone station. Start-up costs for Abingdon FM would about £150,000 and the search is on for premises in the town.

Operations director Richard Garvie, from Burford, said: "Abingdon will be my own baby. We have done research and that shows there is a strong demand for a local radio station in the area."

The company plans to have eight presenters, six sales staff and a station manager. Half the recruits would be paid full-time staff. A public meeting is planned in May or June.

Mayor Hilary Green said: "A local radio will add a new dimension to the town and district and will help to confirm Abingdon's identity."

An Ofcom spokesman said companies could submit applications for temporary broadcasting licenses for a maximum of 28 days before full licences were considered.It seeks out people interested in setting up a station and provides resources, expertise and financial support.

The company has helped support groups with stations in in Chorley, Lancashire, Barrow in Furness and Halifax.

Mr Garvie, 23, from Burford, was a sole trader last year but set up a limited company with others in January.

He worked as a tea boy for a local station in Corby where he later presented programmes and became programme manager. Abingdon FM would broadcast live from 6am until 11pm weekdays and 7am until midnight at weekends. Recorded music would sustain the station overnight. National news would come from Independent Radio News and local news from station staff.

In Banbury three groups are competing for a licence and the Abingdon licence could also attract other interested parties but so far only Abingdon FM is lined up. There are three local radio stations based in Oxfordshire -- BBC Radio Oxford and commercial stations Fox FM and Passion FM.