A BICESTER-based gospel DJ has been given his own radio show.

Gary Smith will host the Urban Gospel Experience every Sunday on BBC Radio Oxford.

Although the father-of-one has hosted one-off gospel shows at the station before, he said he was surprised to be offered a permanent slot for his show - which is a mix of predominantly Christian music and more contemporary music styles.

Mr Smith said: “The editor came down and spoke to me about it after I had been a guest on another show. Now, just weeks later, I’m preparing for the first show of my own.”

Mr Smith said he first started to enjoy gospel music when he was a child at his Sunday school.

He said: “I heard the music and was drawn to the drums more than anything.

“So I learned to play, and I started collecting all the gospel records I could.

“Soon people started to ask me to come and play at events.

“There is a huge gospel movement in the county, so having a radio show like this is going to be a massive boost to the gospel music industry.”

The Urban Gospel Experience will be aired on BBC Radio Oxford every Sunday from 9pm from June 7.