Heart Now Live On DAB

28 March 2013, 11:06 | Updated: 28 March 2013, 11:30

You can now listen to Heart across Northamptonshire on crystal clear DAB digital radio.

The digital signal for the county's local radio stations was switched on at 8.46am on Thursday 28 March 2013 at Franklins Gardens, the iconic home of the Northampton Saints Rugby Club.

The government's radio minister Ed Vaizey MP, and Northampton Saints player Paul Diggin pushed the button to turn on the digital signal across Northamptonshire.

The switch on of the Northants multiplex means Heart is now available on DAB radios in the county for the first time, along with Heart's sister stations Gold and Capital, BBC Radio Northampton and other commerical stations.

Ford Ennals, CEO at Digital Radio UK, told Heart: "Up to seven hundred thousand people have today got DAB local radio services for the very first time. We know people love digital radio and they love their local services.

"In the past they may have had a DAB radio at home and been able to listen to national services but they couldn't listen to Heart or other great local stations on DAB.  Today, with the flick of a switch and three transmitters, and boom.  It's a great day."

The switch on of local DAB radio services in Northamptonshire has been delayed because of an ongoing debate about the future of radio.  The government and broadcasters have now committed to investing in DAB.

There are as yet no plans to switch off FM transmissions of Heart or other radio services, local or national.

Pictured: Radio Minister Ed Vaizey at Northampton's Franklins Gardens, getting ready to push the button to turn on local DAB Digital Radio services across Northamptonshire