Phoenix FM's latest month long broadcast will see the local outfit toppling BBC Radio One as Brentwood and Billericay's favourite station.

That's the amazing claim of Phoenix station manager Paul Golder, who is overseeing the Hermitage-based station's most successful run yet.

He explained: "During one of our previous runs a survey of audience share found that we were third behind Radio One and Essex FM in joint first place.

"But we were only just behind, and this run has been so successful so far that it wouldn't surprise me if we were first now.

"In the first few days the phone response has been great, and we are getting more advertising each time. It seems more people are getting the Phoenix message."

The current 28 day restricted service licence does not expire until December 18, but Mr Golder is already looking to the future.

A fourth month long broadcast is being planned for September 2000 featuring a more arts and entertainment-based schedule to tie up with the Brentwood Festival.

But a full-time broadcasting licence remains the long term objective, and the station is continuing to lobby the Radio Authority to convince them that Brentwood and Billericay need their own permanent service.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.