Steve DownesChildren from an edge-of-Norwich junior school will be among scores of youngsters from across Norfolk who will make their radio debut when a city station goes on air for the sixth time later this month.Steve Downes

Children from an edge-of-Norwich junior school will be among scores of youngsters from across Norfolk who will make their radio debut when a city station goes on air for the sixth time later this month.

The pupils from White Woman Lane Junior in Sprowston will interview Norwich North MP Chloe Smith during their slot on Exchange Radio 87.7FM at 9am on March 25.

Old hands, Barnham Broom Primary School, whose headteacher Keith Wright is a Hospital Radio Norwich volunteer, return at 10am on March 23 with an hour of music chosen by the students and parents along with news, weather and travel updates.

The station will broadcast across a 15-mile radius around Norwich from 9am-8pm from March 23 to 25. It will also be available online at www.exchangeradio.co.uk.

Twenty-one schools and youth organisations from around the county are taking part, with each taking an hour-long slot. The students plan and produce their own programmes and have the chance to broadcast live as well as use some pre-recorded material.

Oriel High School, Gorleston, will have presenters in the studio at 10am on March 24 linking recorded items including 'Facebook - friend or foe?', the impact that the images of women in magazines have on girls, the school's scholarship scheme with Gresham's School at Holt and recorded music and interviews from school bands.

Methwold High School presenters will also be linking a series of recorded items at 1pm on March 24, featuring an item on Methwold's relationship with a school in Nairobi, Kenya, trailing a visit there in July, a comedy sketch, a history of the Olympics looking forward to 2012 and an interview with a member of staff about child soldiers.

Mike Sarre of Hospital Radio Norwich supervises the broadcast output and trains the young broadcasters in programme preparation, interviewing and recording techniques.

Diane Sutcliffe, project co-ordinator from The Exchange said: 'The content is entirely up to the schools and youth organisations. Some include poetry, music, interviews, drama or work to a specific theme.

'It is a very valuable experience as it improves confidence and self esteem, as well as developing the students' range of enterprise learning, including creativity, using initiative, communication, innovation and team working.'

t The Exchange is at www.norfolk-exchange.org.uk or on 01953 601439.

t Is your school taking part in a pioneering project? Call Steve Downes on 01603 772495 or email steve.downes@archant.co.uk.