A NEW national transmitter at North Hessary Tor near Princetown will extend the digital radio coverage across a large part of West Devon and East Cornwall.

The new BBC Radio transmitter will improve reception for listeners across Dartmoor to Holsworthy in the north.

It adds around 20,000 people to the coverage of the network and improves coverage for almost 300,000 more.

Digital radio listeners can now tune in to the BBC's portfolio of digital-only stations – 1Xtra, 5 live sports extra, 6 Music, Radio 7 and the Asian Network – as well as the BBC's existing national radio stations, Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, Radio 5 Live and the World Service — and enjoy the benefits of digital audio broadcasting (DAB).

'The BBC is committed to broadening the availability of digital radio and we are delighted to further expand coverage in the area,' said Mark Friend, controller, multiplatform and interactive, BBC Audio and Music.

'We hope more listeners in the area will now discover the benefits and additional choice that digital radio offers.'

The BBC is investing in the DAB network and fulfilling its commitment to reach around 92% of the UK population by the end of next year.