Youthcomm Worcester radio station at budget cut risk

A community youth radio station in Worcester has said it may have to close due to funding cuts.

Youthcomm broadcasts from St John's Youth Centre but said it may close as Worcestershire County Council has cut its funding by £35,000 from April.

The station trains 80 people per year but said it needed help to pay staff.

The Conservative-run council said it was withdrawing its funding as it was no longer responsible for youth provision in the county.

A council spokesman said: "It is no longer financially viable for us to fund a full-time post at the radio station. This is due to us no longer directly delivering youth provision in Worcester, which is now commissioned through Worcester Community Trust, and the impact of the difficult funding position for us since reductions in central government funding.

"This is not a decision that has been solely taken by the council, but a decision reached in agreement with the Youthcomm Radio Project Board and other key partners involved in the provision of the radio station."

The radio station began broadcasting from the centre in 2008.