LISTERNERS are planning to protest against the possible closure of an Ebbw Vale-based radio station.

They feel the lossof medium wave station Valleys Radio would be a blow to the community in Ebbw Vale and they plan to protest outside the station on Thursday.

One of the protestors Nathan Edwards said: “The station closing would make such a big impact on the Welsh valleys, because its the one station we all listen to.

“It has a major role in the community.”

He says he would like to see Valleys Radio continue, or become a community radio style station.

Mr Edwards said that he and others will be at the station’s headquarters at the Garden Festival site, Ebbw Vale, from 9am.

Valleys Radio owner UTV Radio announced in late March that it could close before the end of April if a buyer was not found.

UTV said without new investment the licence will be handed back to media regulator Ofcom, and the station would cease broadcasting.

The company said it had written twice to the regulator to request that the station be moved to premises in Swansea, but this was rejected both times.

If no buyer was found everything would be done to relocate permanent members of staff to different positions within the group, director of local radio Calum Macaulay said at the time.

UTV Radio were unavailable for comment.