The company that owns Bath FM has gone into administration, plunging the station's future into doubt.

Devon-based South West Radio Ltd and its five community radio stations were formally put into administration on Monday.

South West Radio has gone under less than a year after it bought Lower Weston-based Bath FM from collapsed media chain Laser in October.

Insolvency practitioners Kirk Hills says it is looking for a buyer who will safeguard the stations' futures.

South West Radio was founded by businessman John Roberts last year. He vowed to invest in Bath FM following a tumultuous couple of years for the station, which had seen it weather financial meltdown and a series of changes of ownership.

However, Bath FM lost its breakfast presenter Ian 'Knocker' Dore in acrimonious circumstances after Mr Roberts took over, and it was criticised by regulator Ofcom for its lack of live content.

The station was given an official yellow card warning by the watchdog in November for broadcasting too much automated material.

In May it emerged that the number of people listening to Bath FM fell by just over 13 per cent in the first three months of the year.

David Kirk, from Exeter and Barnstaple-based Kirk Hills, said his priority was to keep the stations trading and safeguard the jobs of the current employees, which include 27 staff and a number of freelancers across the five stations.

Mr Kirk said: "My intention is to keep the five radio stations trading, which are all popular and buoyant and appeal to a broad range of listeners.

"We can do this by selling the stations as a trading business to a new owner."

Interested parties are urged to contact Jason Hall of Edward Symmons, Plymouth, on Jason.hall@edwardsymmons.com.