The launch of new digital radio transmitters was celebrated at a special ‘switch on’ event.

 Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, pressed a big green digital radio switch to signify the expansion of DAB coverage across Cornwall in front of pupils and staff from Charlestown Primary School and representatives and presenters from Cornwall’s local radio stations.  

The expansion of coverage means many listeners can now receive six further radio stations - BBC Radio Cornwall, Heart South West, Pirate FM, My Music Radio, Capital and Gold - on DAB digital radio for the first time.

Nine new transmitters have launched in the past ten months - including one serving St Austell where this morning’s celebration took place- and a final transmitter will launch in Bude in the coming weeks. 

The ten transmitters bring local stations to 325,000 more listeners on DAB digital radio in Cornwall and have expanded local DAB coverage to 91% of households from 41%.

Listeners in Cornwall are encouraged to retune their digital radios to ensure they receive all their available stations.