A Territorial Army officer from Radlett has launched a radio station in war-torn Afghanistan to encourage community cohesion.

Captain Richard Jakeman, of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, is charged with strenghtening interaction between the military and key community leaders in volatile Helmand Province.

The 34-year-old is specifically tasked with campaigning to counter the insurgents' intimidation of the local communities by promoting trust and credibility with Afghan Government representatives and its security forces.

During his first tour of duty, Richard, a former University of Hertfordshire student, dreamed up the idea of creating a radio station to communicate with the masses.

On January 3, Richard's dream became a reality when the station, dubbed Radio Nad e Ali, went live.

Richard, who is a full-time product manager with media corporation Sky in the UK, said: “We were very clear that we did not want Radio Nad e Ali to be seen as propaganda. It is an Afghan Radio Station with an Afghan DJ - we simply provide support so that the district governor can use it as a tool to communicate with the local people.

"The insurgents banned anything like this - people were not allowed to listen to the radio. It is thanks to the security improvements made by troops that the people have the confidence to listen to the radio without fear of insurgent intimidation."

The station, which broadcasts for ten hours a day, includes a line-up of entertainment, advice sessions, music and live sets by Afghan DJs.

Richard added: “I have really enjoyed the diversity of the role and getting out on to the ground where you are able to meet the local population and interact with them. Successfully working to address their issues and needs has been very satisfying for me. There have been frustrating moments when trying to set up the station, principally in obtaining specialist radio equipment in the middle of a conflict, but I am proud of the radio station and what it provides to the district governor and his local community.

"The difference that we have made out here really shows, which gives me a great sense of satisfaction."

A British soldier was killed in an explosion during a foot patrol in Helmand Province on Sunday.

His death takes the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 251.