Kay's fictional station has a cheesy taste in music

Chorley FM has received a five-year licence to broadcast round the clock to the local community.

"The radio station that inspired Peter Kay's imagination is now a reality, and will be coming soon to Chorley people", says station boss, Christian Moss.

Phoenix Nights co-star Dave Spikey is a station patron.

Cheesy station

The fictional Chorley FM developed a life of its own in Kay's shows, That Peter Kay Thing and Phoenix Nights.

The comic sells T-shirts and car stickers bearing the station's name.

A station spokeswoman said Peter Kay was unaware the real station existed.

"We got in touch with him and he was quite amused," she said.

Cutting edge

Dave Spikey said it was a great chance for Chorley people to "showcase their talents on the airwaves, and really get involved in the cultural life of the town."

The council-backed station, which has broadcast using short-term licences previously, is now looking for volunteers to help run it and renovate a training studio in Chorley Community Centre.

Chris Mellor, Cultural Services Manager for Chorley Borough Council, said: "The radio station will help promote Chorley's distinctiveness and raise our artistic profile, too long in the shadow of oversized Bolton comedians."