A local TV station which is run by a regional publisher has celebrated its first birthday.

Mustard TV, which is based in Norwich, was one of the first local TV channels to go live in the UK and is run by Archant.

To mark the anniversary on Tuesday (24 Mar), the publisher announced the launch of the Mustard TV Celebration Fund.

Mustard TV was launched on Freeview Channel 8 last year as part of a rollout of local TV stations at cities and towns across the UK.

The fund will support three of the region’s charities – cancer charity Big C, Leeway, which supports victims of domestic abuse and Nelson’s Journey, which works with bereaved children.

It will also provide a funding pot open to other community groups and good causes.

Mustard TV has now launched a fundraising drive with a year of activities planned to boost the fund.

Fiona Ryder, managing director of Mustard TV, said: “We’re so excited to launch the Mustard TV Celebration Fund. It’s brilliant to be working with such a wonderful group of charities, all of which work tirelessly for the people of Norfolk.

“We are also launching our own Mustard TV Community Fund, which will help to support the smaller charities and community groups.”

“We are a TV station made by the people and for the people of Norwich so it seemed absolutely right to be doing something of a charitable nature.”

The money raised will be split equally between the three charities and the Mustard TV Community Fund, which will provide grants of up to £1,000 to smaller charities and community groups and will be administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation.

Mustard TV will also feature the best fundraising activities by viewers and report on how the money is improving the lives of local people.