A PONTYPOOL radio station set up nine years ago by volunteers wanting to help disabled and disadvantaged people is celebrating its growth by moving into bigger premises.

The radio station for disabled people, Able Radio is to move from its current home in Hospital Road, Pontnewynydd, into a disused Cwmbran primary school which shut a decade ago.

Work has just begun to refurbish the former Upper Cwmbran Infants’ School (known as Nant Bran), part-financed through an award of almost £59,000 from the EU-backed South East Wales Community Economic Development (SEWCED) programme.

Able Radio was founded in 2006 to offer disabled and disadvantaged people opportunities to build confidence, learn new skills and become radio presenters.

As well as live on-line broadcasts, the social enterprise provides a range of training services, video production, digital photography, music coaching and creative writing.

Achieving financial sustainability by 2013, the station has grown considerably and increased trading turnover from £9,600 in its first full year to £130,000 in 2014, and now has five full-time and five part-time staff.

Torfaen County Borough Council agreed to transfer the school to Able Radio last year and recently granted planning permission for work to redesign the interior of the two school buildings, which is expected to be completed this autumn.

The new site will also provide a base for Cwmbran mental health charity CMIG - formerly Torfaen Mind - and the Alzheimer’s Society, with a community hall available for hire by individuals, clubs and other organisations.

General Manager Rob Symonds said: "Our new home is going to create fantastic opportunities for us, our staff, trainees and volunteers, as well as for local residents in need of a community hub.”