AN LGBT radio station is launching a new channel next month.

Gaydio has been available on DAB for some time but now listeners in Brighton will be able to tune in on FM.

The station which will broadcast to the city and surrounding areas will play uplifting music sprinkled with a few “gay anthems” and will tackle the day’s talking points from an LGBT perspective.

Toby Whitehouse, who was previously with the BBC, is the founder of Gaydio and the Brighton branch’s station director.

He said: “Brighton is the gay capital of the UK and it makes sense that it has its own station – so we’re just really excited.

“The station will do what it says on the tin, it’s effectively a gay radio station appealing to the LGBT community.”

Mr Whitehouse revealed exclusively that the station will broadcast on 97.8fm.

He said the station has yet to decide what the first song will be and called on readers of The Argus to offer suggestions.

The Argus news team came up with a few starters: YMCA by The Village People, Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Small Town Boy by Bronski Beat, or Go West by the Pet Shop Boys.

Gaydio began transmitting in Manchester in 2006 and now has an FM and digital audience of about half a million.

The station currently transmits digitally to the South Coast, but now the broadcaster is building a home within the city after winning an FM licence here.

Once on the airwaves, the service will provide advertising opportunities for local businesses, a “positive and uplifting” music policy, and a look at the national and local news from an LGBT prospective.

Mr Whitehouse said he has been in contact with some high-profile names to appear on the station but for now his lips are sealed.

He said: “It’s such an amazing opportunity we had to create a station in Brighton.

“People say what’s the need for a gay radio station but there’s definitely an appetite for it as Gaydio has more than 500,000 listeners nationally.”.

He said radio jockeys on other stations are sometimes told to refer to their same sex partner as “other half” rather than “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” and such attitudes are constantly challenged by Gaydio.

Despite no confirmed office space, jockeys or launch date, the radio station is currently undergoing tests and is set to begin transmitting within the month.

It became the UK’s first LGBT FM radio station when it launched full time in June 2010 and is one of the biggest LGBT media platforms.