Ofcom has announced the award of two new community radio licences in England.

The new stations will serve communities in Manchester and Leicester.

More than 250 community radio stations are currently on air.

The two new community radio licences have been awarded to:

Heritage Community Radio (British Muslim Heritage Centre)

Location: Whalley Range and surrounding areas in Manchester.

Website: www.heritageradio.org.uk

Heritage Radio’s programming will predominantly serve the Muslim community in Whalley Range and surrounding areas in south Manchester. The station currently holds a licence to broadcast a community radio service on medium wave (AM), which it will surrender when the FM service commences.

Radio2Funky (2Funky Arts Limited), Leicester

Location: Leicester

Website: www.2funkyarts.co.uk

Radio2Funky will serve 16 to 35-year-olds who have an interest in urban music and the arts in Leicester.

The licences have been awarded for a five-year period.

See Ofcom’s statement setting out the main determining factors for the award of the licences above here.