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The first ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ radio broadcasts were very local.Ìý

Back in the 1920's, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s network started as a few small transmitters serving London, Birmingham and other cities.Ìý

It was not until the years before World War II that the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ joined up those services into national networks called the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Service and the Light Programme.

Listen to a special documentary about ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Leicester's broadcasting history...

An election just a few months before the experiment was due to start meant that political power changed in some of these local authorities.ÌýSo Manchester changed its mind and pulled out, and for a while the administration in Leicester wavered.

So on Thursday 08 November 1967 the people of Leicester were the first to hear this new version of an older form of radio service. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Leicester offered really local and relevant programmes with local voices talking about local matters.

Just over two years later, the experiment was declared a success.ÌýIn each of the eight station areas, people said they wanted local radio to stay. The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ received Government approval to open a further 12 stations, and that was just the start.

Although there have been changes over the years, with some stations moving location and changing name, we now have 40 local stations across England which can be heard by over 90% of the population.

Over the past four decades, many hundreds of people have contributed their skills and energies to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Leicester's programmes. Presenters, producers, researchers and engineers have all combined to make ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Leicester an essential part of so many people's lives.Ìý

There have been plenty of famous voices like Adrian Juste and Julian Worriker, but also many hundreds of other people who have moved on to other parts of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and other broadcasting organisations.

Local radio is at the heart of what we do, but now we have a vibrant website and a regional television team too, reflecting the lives the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

So we are celebrating!Ìý

But we are also looking forward, building on the experiences and achievements of the past.Ìý

This ISÌýÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Leicester.ÌýLocal radio from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ for the 21st Century!