LOVERS of telly favourites Eastenders, Corrie and Emmerdale are in for a treat - Guiseley is about to launch its very own radio soap.

Billed as a cross between soap send-up Brass and love-in-the Dales, Emmerdale, the show is due to start in June - on the month long community radio station Guiseley FM.

Devised by writing partners Graham Hoult and Annabel Verity, Guiseley Yarns promises to have a bit of everything - and it won't be taking any prisoners.

Graham said: "It's going to be very tongue in cheek and some people might just be able to recognise themselves."

Tony Torfik, station manager, said: "Everyone is talking about it amongst our immediate circle but more surprisingly people not linked to the station nor the groups who help us are asking if they will recognise any of the characters.

"It is purely fictional but our two script writers have been keen to reflect local life-with some stereotyping with a large tongue in the cheek."

The first action packed episode is due to burst onto the airwaves on June 11 - to coincide with Guiseley Festival.

And it will go out three times a day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with repeats on Tuesdays and Thursdays - and in true soap style, an omnibus edition at the weekend.

Writer Annabel Verity is a special events manager, and co-writer Graham Hoult is the publicity officer for the Wharfe Valley Cats Protection. He is also the lay member of the Leeds North West Primary Care Group with almost 40 years experience in the National Health Service - giving him essential qualifications for writing a soap.

He said: "When you are faced with up to 20 characters and maybe 50 scenes you are amazed at the discipline and research

displayed by writers of Eastenders and Coronation Street.

"One factual inaccuracy or something out of sequence and you have lost the plot."

Annabel added: "The work experience we have is useful but this new ground is quite a challenge."

Graham and Annabel did plenty of research by speaking to mill owners and farmers - but were then hit by the foot and mouth crisis.

Annabel said: "Half way through we were hit by the reality of foot and mouth.

"This has meant some changes to our scripts. And although we have not ignored the issue we have stayed on the periphery because we could not do it justice in a short light hearted soap."

All the actors are local volunteers from the every age group and walk of life.

Graham added plenty of fun had been had with names of characters.

"It is all fun and good natured with a bit of a send up of local small town life and yet we still get across some good messages. "There is a love angle and a mystery so everyone should be gripped," he said.

l This year the station - which has just received £5,000 from the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme - will broadcast on 107.6FM from a new venue outside the Baptist Church in Oxford Road.

There are plans to produce a flyer for every household and business with programme details in advance. The station has many local sponsors including Wharfedale Newspapers.