Virgin Radio became the first ever national radio station to launch live from a moving train on Wednesday.

The launch featured live performances from some of the UK’s leading bands: Travis, Mystery Jets, Walking On Cars, Gavin James and The Feeling.

The station originally broadcast in the UK between 1993 and 2008 to record audiences.  

Virgin Radio is available now on DAB digital radio, with a fresh new line-up of presenters and will play a wide range of pop and rock, from the best 80s and Britpop tunes, to the latest artists.

Spectators gathered at Manchester Piccadilly as Virgin Radio’s breakfast and drivetime presenters, Edith Bowman and Matt Richardson, unveiled the newly named Virgin Radio Star train.

As the train departed the station, Edith and Matt kicked off the new station’s first ever broadcast.

The train then journeyed through the UK, via Crewe, Birmingham and Rugby, with the bands performing a range of hits both current and present, and with a selection of full band and acoustic performances.

Fran Healy, lead singer of Travis, said: “We are thrilled to be asked to be the conductors on Virgin Radio’s first broadcast. Anyone without a ticket is OFF… unless they sing!”

On arrival into London, guests were taken to the new Virgin Radio studio, where Reef performed a final live show in the building’s brand new performance space, ‘The Red Room’.

Speaking after the day’s festivities, Edith Bowman said: “Virgin Radio has started as it means to go on, playing fantastic music, doing things that seem like they can’t be done, but which sound great on air and make the listener experience completely unique.”