HOSPITAL Radio Swindon has renamed its studio after former presenter David Penfound, who died on Christmas Day 2011.

The popular presenter organised the radio’s move from Charlotte Mews, in Old Town, to its new site in the Great Western Hospital in 2008.

The station has now taken the decision to dedicate the new studio to the man who was known to spend his mornings walking around the hospital talking to patients and taking music requests, before presenting his shows in the afternoon.

Station chairman Arthur Perkin said David was a busy man who always got things done.

He said: “I think he’d be pleased that we named the studio after him.

“It was his idea to move into the new studio, so we named it after him.

David started volunteering on the radio in 1999 and two or three times a week he presented a classical music show and a programme on religion as well as playing the patients’ music requests.

The radio still broadcasts some of his pre-recorded shows.

Arthur said: “David spent most of the day here, collecting requests and talking to people in the mornings and then doing shows in the afternoon.

“He was very popular. I think that’s the advantage of getting out and meeting the listeners.

“Quite often you’ll play a song and they’ll ring up to say thank you.”

The radio still plays an important role in the hospital even though patients have more choice when it comes to entertainment.

Arthur said: “If you go around and speak to people they love to hear their names on the radio.

The radio still broadcasts all day every day from the David Penfound studio to the patients at the GWH.