Five Wymondham College students launched this year's Exchange Radio 87.7FM, based at Hospital Radio Norwich, on Monday. It marked the start of four days of broadcasts - ending today - in which the station was staffed by school students and youth organisations.

Five Wymondham College students launched this year's Exchange Radio 87.7FM, based at Hospital Radio Norwich, on Monday.

It marked the start of four days of broadcasts - ending today - in which the station was staffed by school students and youth organisations.

This was Exchange Radio's fifth spell on air.

Linked by presenters Kate Boyes and Victoria Smith, the Wymondham College hour featured music selected by the students along with items on the credit crunch by Joe Thompson and film reviews by Dan Pemberton. Will Arundell chipped in with a slot on emerging bands, including Vanilla Kick whose lead singer Callum Duncan is at Wymondham College.

The broadcast was rounded off with a live quiz, as the girls tested the boys on their sporting, TV, film and music knowledge. Joe Thompson was the run away winner with six points.

The five students, who produced the broadcast, are all involved with Radio Wym, Wymondham College's own radio station.

Joe Thompson said: "This was a very good opportunity to experience live radio and has given us a great boost in confidence as we develop our own radio station at school."

Exchange FM broadcasts 20 miles around Norwich, but the radio station could also be heard throughout Norfolk online at www.exchangeradio.co.uk. Twenty-eight schools and youth organisations from around the county took part.

Each school or youth organisation had an hour-long slot. The students plan and produce their own programmes and have the chance to broadcast live as well as use some pre-recorded material.

The project, which was launched in 2004, is run by The Exchange, whose role is to strengthen links between Norfolk's education and business communities. Hospital Radio Norwich and Hughes TV and Audio support the event.

Mike Sarre of Hospital Radio Norwich supervises the broadcast output and trains the young broadcasters in programme preparation, interviewing and recording techniques.

Exchange Project Worker Lesley Bambridge explained: "The content is entirely up to the schools and youth organisations. Some include poetry, music, interviews and dedications and requests, drama and more. It is a very valuable experience as it brings in a range of enterprise learning: creativity, using initiative, communication, problem solving and collaboration and team working as well as improving self esteem and confidence."