Exchange Radio 87.7FM, staffed by school students and youth organisations (ages 5 to 17) will be broadcasting for the fifth year in a row next week. Based at Hospital Radio Norwich and it will be on air 9am-7pm Monday November 3 to Thursday, November 6.

Exchange Radio 87.7FM, staffed by school students and youth organisations (ages 5 to 17) will be broadcasting for the fifth year in a row next week.

Based at Hospital Radio Norwich and it will be on air 9am-7pm Monday November 3 to Thursday, November 6.

South Norfolk broadcasts include Wymondham College (November 3, 12 noon to 1pm), Diss High School (November 4, 2pm to 3pm), South Norfolk Youth Action Group (November 4, 5pm to 6pm) and Wymondham High School (November 6, 4pm to 6pm).

The FM frequency broadcasts 20 miles around Norwich, but the radio station can be heard throughout Norfolk online at www.exchangeradio.co.uk. Twenty-eight schools and youth organisations from around the county are taking part.

Each school or youth organisation has 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.

Lesley Bambridge, who leads this project, 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."