PRIME Minister Tony Blair spoke of his joy at the forthcoming birth of his new child as he launched north London's latest radio station to hit the airwaves.

As people from Ealing to Havering and from Harlow to the Thames tuned into their radios last Wednesday the dulcet tones of the premier (pictured with the station's head of news, Pam Joseph) could be heard on the new Choice 107.1FM.

Broadcasting from Alexandra Palace, the new station promises to combine up-to-the-minute local news and information with contemporary music including hip hip, reggae and house.

Among the issues Mr Blair spoke about were the Third World debt and the exclusion of black pupils from schools.