The Radio Authority has approved the Kent Messenger Group's take-over of the broadcasting licence for Mercury FM.

The radio watchdog made the decision because it has to clear any proposed station take-over by a newspaper group.

It carries out a "public interest test" when a sale is agreed and the decision by the authority to give the nod to the KMG was taken as the licence comes up for its regular seven-year renewal.

KMG managing director David Lewis said: "We are pleased to have satisfied the Radio Authority with particular regard to the public interest test.

"It gives us confidence to defend the challenge to our licence on Tonbridge and to continue our long-term investment plan in local radio in the county.

"We were dependant on the authority giving us the green light and we can now press on to prove to the listeners and the business people of the area that it is in a safe pair of hands.

"We have a history of investment in local publishing, and local radio is going to be equally safe in our hands.

"We have a long term investment plan for local radio in Kent and we are prepared to fund it."

The same process was followed for the Radio Authority to clear the way for KMG Newspapers to take a controlling stake in two East Kent local radio stations.

KMG signalled its intention to buy CTFM, Canterbury, and Neptune Radio, broadcasting to Folkestone and Dover, early last year.

The move triggered a public interest test under Government's guidelines. After carrying out extensive inquiries in Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone, the Radio Authority gave its approval.

The decision paved the way for KMG to go ahead with plans to develop the stations along with Thanet Local Radio which it already owned.

Mercury Tonbridge and its Medway sister, together with other smaller stations across the county owned by KMG, have provided competition for the main local commercial player, Whitstable-based Invicta.

Apart from full-time commercial radio stations, KMG also supports part-time broadcasters. These include 20/20 Radio in Maidstone and Lark FM in Ashford.

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