A COMMUNITY radio station heard the sweet sound of success yesterday when they were presented with a state-of-the-art mobile trailer.

Swindon 105.5FM received a customised mobile broadcast unit worth £12,000 from newspaper retailer Smiths News, enabling them to raise the profile of the station in the community.

The trailer was funded and project-managed by Smiths News as part of a community initiative scheme.

In a ceremony held at Smiths' Kembrey Park head offices, station volunteers, along with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and Smiths employees, gathered to watch the official ribbon cutting for the new trailer.

At the presentation community stalwart Shirley Ludford, station manager, Swindon 105.5 said she was delighted with the trailer, which was emblazoned with the station’s red, white and blue logo and kitted out with broadcast equipment.

"At Swindon 105.5 we are passionate about engaging with all aspects of our community and as the town's community radio service we're also passionate about getting out and about as much as possible," she said.

“This is an extremely generous gesture by Smiths News and on behalf of all our volunteers, I give huge thanks to the team who have worked hard to make this facility come to life, with such exciting results.

“Firstly it’s a positive sign to see the trailer which is decorated in the station colours. It will also help us to get out on the road and mix with the people and really get our message out there. It help us stand out at events, it really is expanding what we can do.

“We’re on an upwards incline, things are looking better for us and things are going in the right direction. I’m absolutely chuffed with it.”

Jonathan Bunting, managing director of Connect News and Media, which own Smiths, labelled Shirley 'superwoman' and said the station thoroughly deserved the new equipment.

“When I met Shirley and some of the volunteers, I was blown away by their dedication, support and the impact the station makes to individuals and the community. The work they do is embedded in the community," he said.

“Shirley showed me their old mobile unit and it was old and small and we were desperate to help.

“This will enable them to continue broadcasting outdoors and being active in the community. I was delighted to offer Smiths News’ support in funding a new one.”

Guests then got the chance to have a free ice-cream and a tour of the new unit, decorated with Adver articles and memorable moments in the station’s history.

Over their seven years on air 105.5FM has been notable for welcoming volunteers and trainees with a wide range of disabilities such as visual impairment, learning difficulties and victims of physical abuse.

The gift of the trailer marks the latest in a series of fundraising successes for the Bentley Centre based station who have found themselves in a battle to stay on the air.

Shirley and the team are now looking forward to taking the trailer out on the road with two events booked in for the coming months.