FOR THE first time, York Hospital Radio will be available to listeners online this Christmas.

Thanks to volunteers, York Hospital Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and this week unveiled its Christmas schedule for 2017.

Highlights of this year's Christmas schedule include live programmes between 6am and 3pm on Christmas Eve, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols live from York Minster, and Overtones in concert at York Barbican.

On Christmas Day, live programmes will run between 8am and 10am, followed by a special show to accompany Christmas lunch which will include a special message by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.

Recordings of the NHS Carol Concert from York Minster and the Community Carol Concert from York Barbican will also be played, while Boxing Day will feature The Choir Festival, recorded earlier this year at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

From Wednesday, December 27 onwards, York Hospital Radio will play music from particular decades from the 1960s onwards, and on New Year’s Eve will feature music exclusively from 2017.

New Year's Day will also include live commentary on York City’s home game against North Ferriby United.

Ian Clennan, chairman of York Hospital Radio, said: "We always try to create a very special schedule to keep patients entertained at this very special time of the year, and to make it that little bit easier to have to spend Christmas in hospital. This year we have aimed to feature several festive events around the city, which listeners may otherwise have missed."

To listen online, go to yorkhospitalradio.com