'Iconic' DJ quitting role at Stafford radio station

Stafford FM spokesman Pete Terry said it was 'with deep regret' to accept the resignation of Ray Crowther from the station which was officially launched on FM in April this year.

But Stafford FM spokesman Pete Terry said Ray has been involved with the project 'in various guises' over the years. "He has definitely been an iconic part of the station during its transition to full time FM broadcasting," Mr Terry added. "It is with a heavy heart that we accept his decision to move on."

Mr Terry said over the years many people have given their time and skills to the Stafford FM project.

"Sadly sometimes in a large organisation with passionate people there can be conflicts of personality," he added.

Mr Terry added everyone at the radio station acknowledge Ray's 'hard work and commitment to the organisation'.

He said everyone wishes him 'the best of luck' for his future projects. Despite the setback, Mr Terry said Stafford FM is 'at an exciting time in its development'.

"We are now structuring the organisation for its next stage of growth," he said.

"We have exciting plans to bring the station closer to the community it serves and to harness funding to really bring us to the heart of the county."

Stafford FM launched this year after being awarded a five-year full time FM licence by Ofcom in 2014. The project has existed in one form or another for 20 years.

Ray was on air every weekday with the Mid Morning Show and has been passionate about radio since applying to work at Hospital Radio Stafford in the 1980s while training as a nurse. He then moved onto Signal Radio where he spent a total of 21 years and has also worked at BBC Radio Stoke, Beacon Radio and The Wolf in Wolverhampton.

Ray has lived in Stafford all his life, was also a founder of the original Stafford FM in 2001 and has recently graduated from Staffordshire University with first class honours, after studying radio production and presentation/music broadcasting.