A heady mix of jazz, dance, indie and grunge will be hitting the Worcestershire airwaves for a marathon music session.

Spires Radio, which until now has been bouncing off the refectory walls of Worcester College of Technology, will be spreading its broadcasting wings and reaching listeners up to 20 miles away as part of a three-day special later this month.

Not only will listeners be able to tune into jazz shows and dance music, they will also be able to hear live and recorded sessions by local bands.

The show, which will be broadcast live from 7.30am until 9pm between Thursday, June, 20 and Saturday, June 22, will use pre-recorded music through the night to keep the 24-hour radio station going.

Martin "Lamp" Lampitt, a DJ for the station as well as its programme controller, said he would be airing the talents of local bands as well as hit tunes.

"I'll be DJing between four and six every day," he says.

"There will be a few local bands on the show, such as Silverman from Cheltenham, who sound like Portishead." (See story below.)

Evesham-based Volta have recorded four tracks in the college studio for the show.

Spires Radio, based in the former police station, in Deansway, took to the air as the college's

in-house station in March, with 16 to 19-year-olds its target audience.

Lamp said the station's normal programmes had been put on hold since the three-day spectacular was announced.

"We wanted to concentrate on the show," says Lamp.

"We're hoping for a broader listening range with it, rather than just the student market.

"There will be performing arts students on the show, and lots of information about courses at the college."

Lamp said it was likely the transmitter would be put in grounds of the old Ronskwood Hospital.

"Nothing's definite yet," he admitted. But the city centre isn't ideal due to the buildings."

Anyone wanting to dip into world music will be given a taste of African drum beats at the riverside fountain, near the college.

"A world music show is being held every day," Lamp says.

The station can be found on 107.2 FM. Times and arrangements are still being finalised, so anyone who wants to find out more should contact Worcester College of Technology on 01905 725555.