THE company which owns Salisbury radio station Spire FM has been bought out by another media group today.

UKRD, which owns Spire FM and nine other stations across the South West, South, Yorkshire and East Anglia, was acquired by the Bauer Media Group UK today.

Paul Keenan, CEO of Bauer Media UK and European Radio said: "These stations are an excellent addition to our business and further extend our reach into completely new areas of the UK“.

UKRD stations, with a weekly reach of 722,000 listeners, build on Bauer’s previous acquisitions earlier this year of Wireless local stations, Celador Radio and Lincs FM Group.

He adds: "This further demonstrates our long-term commitment and belief in commercial radio which has never been so exciting – for both listeners and advertisers. With record revenues for the third year running, the radio medium has grown by a third in the past five years alone, and with its highest share of listening since 2001, commercial radio is in a stronger position than ever before.”

William Rogers, CEO of UKRD added: "UKRD's radio stations will make a great addition to the Bauer portfolio and the opportunities that may well present themselves to many of our talented and highly professional people will be greatly enhanced by this acquisition. The inclusion in the deal of UKRD's interest in FRS ensures that the agency will continue to serve its clients."

Spire FM was approached for comment.