The station was created by volunteers back in 2001 to broadcast a special two week licence in conjunction with the Midsummer Festival which was located on Botany Bay near the M61.
The name "Chorley FM" is commonly associated with a fictional radio station featured in the comedy programmes That Peter Kay Thing, Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
On 9 September 2005, Chorley FM Limited was awarded a five-year licence to broadcast round the clock to the local community, and was extended for a further five years in 2011.
The station's target objective was to broadcast to the local population and provide an opportunity to get involved and gain valuable experience in radio and the media.
The show, hosted by Chorley FM's Nathan Hill and Steven Normyle with celebrity judges that included Bobby Ball, Casey-Lee Jolleys, X-Factor's Rowetta and Garry Bushell.
The station announced dialogue with Ofcom regarding a change to the original commitments, on the basis that it was always intended to include specific content for the target groups within a diverse schedule rather than all output be exclusively for them.
This was welcomed by the local community and the town, and will continue to give coverage to the "Magpies" throughout the 2015/16 season, and beyond, in the Vanarama National League North.
[3] On 14 August 2019, Chorley FM officially surrendered its community radio licence to Ofcom, ending the station's ability to come back on air.