Students are planning to take on major broadcasters with the launch of their own radio station.

The young DJs at Blatchington Mill School in Holmes Avenue, Hove, hope to apply for an outside broadcast licence after gaining an FM licence to transmit in their grounds.

The station, radio-mill.fm, will be on air from the New Year and is believed to be the first venture of its kind in Brighton and Hove.

If it is a success, the young presenters hope to apply for a licence to broadcast to the rest of the city during next year's Brighton Festival.

Student Louis Sinclair, 13, said: "I think it's really cool. I would like to interview people on air.

"Most of the songs have been put on to a computer programme and it makes it easier to play them because you just click on the one you want."

Many of their CDs were donated by the city's environmental health officers who confiscated them from noisy neighbours.

So far, the group has logged almost 900 tracks on to the system.

The radio station will be played over the school's intranet system at breaks and lunchtimes.

Students will be able to pick it up on personal stereos but it will also be broadcast through speakers in the dining hall and sixth form common room.

The new presenters are planning to cover a range of topics and interviews as well as playing music by well-known artists and school bands.

Daniel Saunders, 13, said: "Going on the radio gives you confidence. I want it to be humorous, exciting and creative."

Joe Leonard, 13, who hopes to be a DJ, said: "I have got some records of my own. They are my own mixes as I have already DJed a bit."

The pupils have been getting advice from former student Lloyd Spring, who is now working for Southern FM.

Lloyd, who left after doing A-levels last year, has written jingles and done voiceovers for the school.

Steve Jeffery, head of music, said: "There will be about 12 presenters in total, both boys and girls, from Year 7 right up to the sixth form. Some of the sixth formers will be station managers.

"I think the facilities we have are fantastic and our technical adviser Martyn Barratt did a really good job setting it all up."

David Glasson, director of performing arts and assistant head, said: "We hope it will raise kids' confidence.

"It's not going to be a fame school but hopefully we will produce a few stars.

"Lots of the teachers are very excited about doing stuff, such as history interviews and language skills.

"Pupils can be quite creative with it."