MARTIN Starke is be the host of a new regional drivetime show on Greatest Hits Radio, as the station launches in Salisbury next week.

It comes as the rebranding of Spire FM under new owners Bauer Media comes into place.

The presenter who currently hosts the Breakfast Show on Spire FM, will broadcast the new drivetime programme across the South region, from 4-7pm every weekday.

Spire FM host Chris Wight is also set to be the regional drivetime host for Greatest Hits Radio South Coast.

The station is being re-launched as Greatest Hits Radio from September, and will be produced from a new regional base - which will also feed other Bauer stations in the south west.

Ofcom approved format changes in July, with the required number of locally-made programming hours on weekday day-times to be reduced from from ten to three, and from four to none on weekend days.

The amount of local news output will not be reduced, with hourly bulletins 6am -7pm weekdays and 7am – 1pm weekends, plus afternoon headlines on weekdays.

The existing Spire news team will be staying on to deliver that.

Martin will join broadcasters on the station line-up including; Mark Goodier, Simon Mayo, Janice Long, Alex Lester and Pat Sharp.

Martin said “As Spire FM takes the exciting next step of rebranding to Greatest Hits Radio, I’m so excited to be on board as the host of a new Drivetime show.

"Bringing you the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s, I’ll be there every weekday afternoon as we celebrate some of the most iconic artists of all time.”

Graham Bryce, Group Managing Director – Hits Radio Brand Network, said, “Martin Starke is a highly experienced and talented broadcaster with brilliant connections within Salisbury and so we’re delighted that he’ll be hosting this new drivetime programme.

"As Greatest Hits Radio arrives on September 1, we look forward to listeners discovering and enjoying the exciting new line-up.”