BBC Hereford & Worcester has attracted 31,000 new listeners since this time last year and retains its position as the most listened to station in the region.

Audience figures released last week show that the radio station is now listened to by 158,000 people in the area each week - 23,000 more than its rival, Wyvern FM.

According to the industry figures, compiled by the Radio Joint Audience Board (RAJAR), Wyvern attracts a weekly audience of 135,000, having put on an extra 25,000 listeners in the past three months.

Both stations welcomed the figures and paid tribute to their staff.

"This is fantastic news and I'm absolutely delighted for my staff who have worked incredibly hard and with great enthusiasm to get us here," said BBC Hereford & Worcester's managing editor, James Coghill.

"We're a truly local station, rooted in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and our mix of local news, sport, travel, weather, entertainment and music is obviously what people want as more of them are tuning in than ever before."

Meanwhile, Wyvern FM's new programme controller, Simon Monk, said the station's "impressive" figures - its best ever - were testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone there.

"The station is determined to give our listeners more of what they want and these figures show they have responded to that," said Mr Monk, who joined the station four months ago.

"The figures place us well ahead of national stations, Radio 1 and Radio 2, in the region," he added.