A KIND Inverclyde army veteran has used his passion for the airwaves to set up a new community radio station.

George Coyle is one of the founders of Clyde Coast Radio - an online station which goes live at noon on Saturday.

The former soldier, who served in the Royal Artillery from 1983 until 1992, has teamed up with his fiancee Elizabeth Dixon, his brother Robert Gilmour and his friend Alan Mackie to bring positive sounds to the people of Inverclyde and listeners further afield.

A £10,000 cash injection from the National Lottery and support from Inverclyde Community Development Trust has enabled the broadcasters to get the show on the road.

George says community radio has helped him through very difficult times in his life and says he wants the station to be there for people who are struggling.

He said: "When I left the army I got married and had my own business but something went wrong and no one could see it.

"Five years along the line I was diagnosed with mental health problems.

"I thought my time was over until I found community radio.

"I want to bring the power of community radio to other people now."

George, who was born and brought up in the Bardrainney area of the Port, started out presenting on a radio station for veterans based in the south of France and then went on to present on South Lanarkshire radio.

When Covid first hit in March 2020, he set up a studio in one of Elizabeth's spare bedrooms and began to broadcast to a small group of listeners.

He aired a special show for Christmas, one for New Year and a couple of birthday shows - and listener numbers grew steadily.

George added: "We did a few shows and decided in November last year that we want to set up something properly for ourselves.

"There was nothing like this in Inverclyde and it's something that's definitely needed in the community."

George and the team achieved registered charity status after their first application and they're now settled in the Community Development Trust building in Devol.

The lottery funding has helped them buy brand new equipment and secure licences required for broadcast.

George and the team want to work with schools, local businesses and community organisations, and are also reaching out to ex-services personnel and keen to work with young people who want to gain a bit of experience in radio.

George, who joined the army when he was just 16, says he is grateful to the National Lottery and Gemma Lapsley, Bryan Graham and Lorna Stein from the development trust for all their support.

George is hopeful that his first time presenting live online - from noon until 3pm - will be the start of a radio revolution in Inverclyde.

He added: "We're hoping that this helps to get people back into a normal routine after the very difficult times we've been living in.

"I'm so proud of what we've achieved in such a short space of time.

"We're not going to let the community down."

Kate Still, chair of the National Lottery Scotland community fund, said: "I would like to congratulate Clyde Coast Radio on their funding award, which is testament to the incredible efforts of their volunteers."

To listen to Clyde Coast Radio visit www.clydecoastradio.com

GOING LIVE George Coyle, Elizabeth Dixon, bichon frise Rosie (five), Robert Gilmour, Alan Mackie.