TALKING comes easily to call centre operator Umar Ayub who deals with scores of people each day.

But at night the 25-year-old has a different audience in his role as a presenter on a new radio station in Preston, set up to broadcast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Umar of Dymock Road, Ribbleton, offered to lend a hand at Radio Ramadan 107FM, which has been granted a short-term licence to broadcast during Ramadan.

He was amazed when radio bosses Masood Hussain and Ghulam Choudhry asked him to present a show.

Despite initial nerves the first-time presenter agreed to host the late night English show, from 9pm-midnight, and has pulled in many listeners.

Dozens of people have tuned into the show to request dedications, ask questions and join in live debates.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Umar, a former pupil of Ashton High School. "I didn't realise it would be this popular because it was in the evening.

"But I believe the reason why the show has had such a great start is because it's a reflection of my true personality. I'm just myself, everything is spontaneous."

The show has even grabbed the attention of the police with PC Zakariya Hill, 30, an officer with the Lancashire force tuning in regularly.

"I prefer the evening show," he said. "People come on and express how they feel. It has great coverage in Preston and I'd like to see it become a permanent feature."

Radio Ramadan is on air until Wednesday, November 26, and is sister to a Blackburn radio station which has been running during Ramadan for the past three years.

Ten volunteer presenters host a variety of programmes with specific times devoted to people who speak English, Gujarati and Urdu.

It is funded through advertising revenue and sponsored by Autocare, Preston.

In the future Sergeant David Jacques, community safety and race relations officer at Preston police, is expected to be on the air for a debate about the Eid celebrations at the end of Ramadan.