A COMMUNITY radio station describing itself as the ‘voice of Torfaen’ has announced plans to close just months after it’s launch.

The station - which officially opened in June this year- was set up with a £5,000 Big Lottery Fund grant and support from Communities First.

With a mixture of training opportunities on offer, the non-profit enterprise invited volunteers to try their hand at radio producing and presenting, while also shining a light on both national news and regional issues.

Tonight, station manager, Dan Williams, will sign off in the project’s final broadcast - a decision that was made due to “lack of funding”.

In a official statement, he said:“As a non-profit organisation, Vitalize relied on grants as well as generating its own funds through the provision of services and advertising.

“Unfortunately, the reduction in both sources of funding has led it to conclude that it can no longer continue to trade.

“We set up Vitalize Radio to serve the community.

“It is a very sad day for everyone who has been involved and has benefited from the services it provided.”

The station was initially kickstarted by Big Lottery’s Awards For All Wales with a studio based at Fairwater Square, in the Cwmbran area.

Since it’s launch, it has promoted local businesses and also hosted several councillors, including the Mayor of Torfaen, Jessica Powell.

Station manager, Dan Williams, added the Vitalize team have worked to find “an alternative route to closure” but after “investigating a number of routes” they were faced with closure as “the only option”.

“Our team of volunteers have worked so hard to keep this community radio station running. However, due to reasons beyond our control, we will cease broadcasting on Thursday September 28 at 8pm,” he added.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and wish there was another way forward.

“On behalf of all our volunteers at Vitalize, I’d like to thank you for listening to us and for letting us be your community radio station in Torfaen. "I would also like to thank all our funders and advertisers for their support in the past.”