MUMBAI: British media regulator Ofcom has awarded three new community radio licences to Huntingdon Community Radio (HCR), Intobeats and Ashford Hospital Broadcasting Service (AHBS) for a period of five years.

This takes the number of community radio licences awarded by Ofcom to over 200.

HCR FM will provide its audience with familiar music and local news and information for the people in Huntingdon.

Intobeats will be based in Bedford and targets 14-35-year-olds. The community radio will serve the audience with urban music. The radio station will also provide the community with training in media and life skills.

Ashford Hospital Broadcasting Service will broadcast entertainment and health information content aimed especially at people involved in healthcare. The station will include information from the council and programmes produced by local schools and the wider community.

Ofcom even considered an application for Black Cat Radio, the community radio to be set up in Huntingdon but considered not to award the license for the same.

Out of the 201 license offered by Ofcom since 2004, a total of 135 radio stations have commenced broadcasting.