A HOSPITAL radio station hopes to break Chris Moyles’ marathon broadcast by setting a record of its own on its 35th birthday.

Bay Trust Radio, based at Westmorland General Hospital, will try bettering the 52-hour live show the Radio 1 breakfast DJ hosted for Comic Relief in March.

In the New Year, presenter Craig James will aim to be on air for 65 hours to raise £2,000 for the station, which also broadcasts to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital.

Station manager and vice-chairman John Williamson said: “We’ve come a long way since the early days in the ‘70s when a runner would dash down to the local Woolworths to buy the latest vinyl hits to add to our playlist.

“Since our 30th birthday, we have moved quickly to embrace technological change.”

Mr Williamson said it was one of the first stations in the country to adopt ‘voice tracking’ software, which allows presenters to record programmes. All the station’s music is stored electronically for instant access when songs are requested.

Since launching as Kendal Hospital Radio in 1977, the station now has 42 volunteers - its longest-serving member clocking up 27 years - plus a music library of 10,000 tracks.

A sponsored walk between the hospital sites and a fundraising event at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, are planned to raise extra funds, along with special programmes to mark the milestone.

Peter Dyer, medical director at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said he was ‘proud' of the station.

“Nobody would choose to be ill in hospital and the hard work of all at Bay Trust Radio plays such a strong supporting role in raising the spirits of patients and their families,” he said.

“I would like to thank them for their continued support and wish them all the best for the next 35 years.”

Bay Trust Radio broadcasts live shows daily between 6am and midnight thanks to sponsorship from local businesses.

To request a song, find out more or listen to the station outside the three hospitals, visit baytrustradio.org.uk