The Kent Messenger newspaper group has further expanded its interests in local radio.

The firm already owns Thanet Local Radio and has now acquired a controlling interest in CTFM at Canterbury.

KMG Newspapers has informed the Radio Authority of its purchase of the 32.5 per cent shareholding from Radio Services, adding to the 29.9 per cent it already holds.

The company had been managing CTFM under contract since August 2000 and must now satisfy a public interest test by the Radio Authority on cross media ownership.

Managing director David Lewis said: “We believe local radio can bring added value to our business. Our intention is to focus on community news and the local issues which listeners want.

“The Radio Authority have been very supportive in enabling us to create strong links between radio and our newspaper newsrooms and the two-wayexchange of news is a benefit to both media.”

An integrated radio news gathering operation for TLR and CTFM runningalongside Kent Messenger Group’s newsroom in Canterbury has already received Radio Authority approval.

Dedicated radio journalists will continue to be deployed at each station.

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