A radio station which has given young people a voice for nine years will showcase local talent at a special concert.


Streetlife Radio will host the event at Waltham Forest College in Forest Road, Walthamstow, on March 16 in front of a live audience.


Trevor Duberry, 45, founded the station with his friend Stanton LaFoucade in an attempt to occupy young people in danger of falling into crime on the Beaumont estate in Leyton.


He said: "I’m surprised by how strong it’s going all these years later. It’s really become much more than a community project.


"A lot of guys joined us at first because they wanted to sing or rap but slowly they discover they have opinions on all sorts of topics affecting them, the radio station just helps them find their voice.


"They’ve become really articulate about what affects them, like underage pregnancy, drugs and crime."


The station initially had a limited licence, allowing it to broadcast for a month each year, but now provides several shows a day online.


It also runs a course in radio production at Waltham Forest College, where it operates operates, and is a recognised community interest company which relys on volunteers and charitable funding.


The schedule includes a shows on fashion and sport, while its playlist concentrates on hip-hop and R ‘n’ B styles. with a drivetime request show.
 

And Mr Duberry still hopes the station can expand operations.


He said: "At the moment about 80 per cent of our shows are geared towards young people, which is great, but we’d like to be inclusive of other age groups like older people too.


"We’ve had a great reaction from the community and we think we can make it even better."


To attend the live show at the college next month with basement act Stylo G headlining please email kristina@streetliferadio.com.


You can listen to the station by visiting www.streetliferadio.com.