A crowdfunded bid to raise the cash to launch a new Local TV station has reached its target.

Sheffield Live TV will go on air next month after supporters helped raise £160,000 towards its launch.

The initiative – designed to put Sheffield’s local TV channel into community ownership – is the first of its kind in the UK media sector.

More than 100 individuals, businesses and voluntary organisations have each applied for between £100 and £20,000 worth of community shares.

The cash will now be used to purchase equipment and complete studio facilities for public access and independent production.

The new TV channel will broadcast on Freeview Channel 8, Virgin Cable, and the internet, from 23 September and will broadcast news about Sheffield alongside programmes covering music, sport and culture in the city.

Steve Buckley, chair of the new channel and a director of Sheffield Community Media, said:  “We are delighted that so many Sheffield people and organisations have shown their support for Sheffield Live TV and community-owned media by applying for community shares.

“We aim to develop a multimedia news service and to deliver original, locally-made programming, reflecting the interests and talent of Sheffield people and communities.”