A RADIO station that has helped to brighten the lives of thousands of hospital patients has celebrated 45 years on the airwaves.

Bosses at York Hospital Radio held a day of special on-air events to mark the milestone, which it reached yesterday.

The station broadcast its first programme on January 26, 1964, when a group known as the Acomb Tape Recording Association began making fortnightly programmes for hospitals in Acomb, Naburn and Fulford – eventually widening its scope to six other sites across the city.

It has continued its mix of music, chat and entertainment ever since, and yesterday patients at the Wigginton Road site were able to treat their ears to tunes from particular years played in half-hour slots, together with re-runs of top news stories from the time in question. And listeners also had the chance to enter a special competition which will see 45 albums up for grabs to patients, visitors and hospital staff.

“Reaching this anniversary is a real achievement and a tribute to all the hard work of the station’s volunteers, past and present,” said station manager Ian Clennan.

“We wanted to celebrate the day by involving the people who really matter – the patients – as much as possible, so we hope they enjoy the occasion.

“The patients are our listeners and they have made us the most popular station available on the hospital’s airwaves. We want to say a thank-you to them – and long may it continue.”

York Hospital Radio’s first live programmes were broadcast in 1968 and its remit was soon expanded to include more than simple request shows. Since then, it has branched into regular football commentaries, music and magazine shows, and live outside broadcasts from York Theatre Royal, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre and York Minster, as well as other local events.

The station, which is based in Bridge Lane near the hospital, is run entirely by volunteers and has scooped honours at the National Hospital Radio Awards organised by the Hospital Broadcasting Association. In 2003, it won the silver award in the station of the year competition.

But to stay on the air over the years to come, the station relies on fundraising and donations and is looking to recruit a voluntary fundraising co-ordinator. For details, phone 01904 628800 or log on to www.yorkhospitalradio.com York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Patrick Crowley said: “I would like to congratulate all those associated with York Hospital Radio on reaching this milestone and thank them for their important role in the life of the hospital.

“There are many factors which contribute to a positive hospital experience and I’m pleased that York Hospital Radio and its team of volunteers continue to play their part in improving patients’ time with us.”