A Black Country Radio presenter has been picked to launch a brand new national BBC radio station.

Radio 1 Anthems is a new 24/7 stream which features a line-up of existing presenters and fresh new talent which has emerged from the Student Radio Association.

Black Country Radio presenter, Lauren Redfern, who is also a student at Birmingham City University, has joined the family and pressed the start button on the new stream at 9am this morning.

Lauren said: “It feels so surreal to be joining the Radio 1 team! It’s an amazing opportunity, having come straight from student and community radio - Iit’s an absolute dream come true.”

Black Country Radio director, Dave Brownhill added: “We’re all so proud of Lauren and all she’s achieved.

“As well as providing two local radio services for the region, a huge part of what we do is to give new talent a platform - and Lauren grabbed that with both hands.

”It’s also amazing to have a local voice on a national station - we’re happy to share her with the BBC but she’ll always be a Black Country wench through and through!”