BLACK Country Radio has launched a new online radio service to champion local creative, arts, culture, music and more.

The team at BCR have launched Black Country Xtra which will broadcast online 24-7, year round, and will feature a range of shows offering grassroots sports coverage, music memories for dementia, health related programmes including mental health support, 'your town' news and business information from towns across Dudley borough, and 'your community' shows giving a radio platform to community, arts and creative organisations across the Black Country.

The new station has come to fruition thanks to support from funders and grants during the pandemic - and the hard work and commitment of volunteers.

Writer and performer Billy Spakemon has been working behind the scenes to co-ordinate with a range of groups to get the service up and running and he said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local communities, creative, arts and cultural, and charitable organisations to get involved and gives a valuable platform for the great work and creative talent across the Black Country.”

The 'your town' shows will cover Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill and Dudley will feature information about the towns, the people and businesses.

Vicki Rogers, from Halesowen BID team, will be among those getting involved and she said: “I’m really proud to be part of this new venture in association with Black Country Radio. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase all things Halesowen and to put our local businesses in the limelight.”

Black Country Radio was recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, with special recognition given for support offered by the station to communities during the first stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The station now broadcasts from new studios at The Waterfront and the launch of the new Xtra station is the next stage in its development.

Both Black Country Radio and Black Country Xtra are available to listen via an App - which people can download from Apple's App Store or Android's Google Play (search Black Country Radio)

To see the full schedule for Black Country Xtra visit blackcountryxtra.co.uk.

Any organisation wishing to get involved can email info@blackcountryxtra.co.uk.