BARNSLEY’s first commercial radio station will be back on the airwaves with a special schedule of programmes this weekend to mark 25 years since it first came onto the air.

Locke FM was one of the first stations to bid for Barnsley’s full-time FM licence, which was eventually awarded to Dearne FM.

The station was put together by former members of Radio Barnsley and would broadcast from the town’s YMCA building.

In its heyday it attracted large listening figures during its time on air, and a number of volunteers went on to find successful careers in the media industry.

Two former Locke FM presenters who went on to work with the BBC, James Marriott and Steve White, will be teaming up for a special show together as part of the weekend’s broadcast.

James said: “Locke FM was a huge part of my life, both in a professional and personal capacity.

“It really laid the groundwork for me to go onto a career in radio and communications.

“But I was involved during my teenage years, and so it really helped shape me as a person as well.

“It has been great uniting with all the gang, and I’m super excited to make some radio with them again, even if it’s just for 48 hours.”

Locke FM will be on air from 6am tomorrow until midnight on Sunday and station manager David Cooper says it will be a great chance to re-live fond memories.

He added: “I’m really looking forward to this special 48-hour broadcast and I’m thrilled by just how many of the old gang we’ve been able to bring back together.

“Whilst the radio landscape has changed since our day and people’s listening habits have altered, I believe there’s still an audience out there who listened to us back then who will remember the likes of Tommy Taylor, David James, Michelle Cooper and Jason Shephard to name just a few.

“We’ve all aged just a bit, but I’m confident we can still remember which buttons to press.”