A LOCAL radio station is cracking open the champagne to celebrate another landmark since its launch six years ago.

According to the latest independent research, FM102 The Bear, which broadcasts in South Warwickshire, East Worcestershire and North Gloucestershire is pulling in more listeners then ever - 61,500 every week.

The last quarterly listening information, provided by RAJAR to both independent and BBC stations shows an extra 6,000 new listeners have tuned in.

"I'm delighted that so many people have made this station their number one listening choice," said station director Tim Boswell.

FM102 The Bear broadcasts 24 hours a day from studios just outside Stratford-upon-Avon and was last year purchased by the Carlisle-based CN Group.