A new radio station for the Worthing area went on air at a glitzy launch party.

Hundreds of guests including singer Leo Sayer and Liberal Democrat president Lord Dholakia helped to launch 107.7 Splash FM.

Veteran DJ David Hamilton flicked the switch to start the new station at noon yester-day.

The Doobie Brothers' track Listen to the Music was the first record on the station's playlist. Guests counted down before the on-air button was switched on during the party at The Dome cinema.

The first show was relayed live to the guests and balloons descended as the station went live.

Managing director Roy Stannard said the venture was a dream come true.

He said: "It has been a dream of mine for about 18 years and now it has finally happened it is exhilarating."

Worthing mayor Eric Mardell, who was one of the first guests interviewed on air, said the town deserved its own radio station.

He said: "I'm sure it will be a great success. I have been tuning into their practise broadcasts but I'm delighted it is now on air.

"A radio station for Worthing is long overdue but we are here at last. Next, let's hope we get our own television station."

Station staff say they aim to bring together the best of Worthing. Presenter Patrick Woodward said the station would be at the heart of the community.

He said: "Brighton is well served by radio stations and we aim to do the same for Worthing.

"People want to know what is happening in their town and that's what we'll give them."

The station's line-up is headed by former Radio One DJ Hamilton and children's TV presenter Dave Benson Phillips.

107.7 Splash FM's remit is to be a music-led station for 25 to 70-year-olds, with a focus on the 35-54 age group.

It will serve a potential audience of 160,000 from Southwick to Littlehampton.

In its first year, the station is banking on about 30,000 people tuning in for an average of six or seven hours a week.

More than £150,000 has been spent on building and equipping three studios at the Guildbourne Centre in Worthing town centre as the station's home.