Sir Trevor McDonald launches Southwark community TV

Southwark Alliance Community Television is the first dedicated TV network in inner London to broadcast a continuous loop of local information and community safety messages alongside national news, weather and sport.

The 20 plasma TV screens across the borough will also broadcast emergency messages such as missing persons appeals and information on road closures.

"Southwark is a hotbed of creativity," says council leader Nick Stanton. "We have many young, talented filmmakers and artists in Southwark and we hope to showcase their work in these loops."

He added: "I hope this will be a trememdous popular success with local residents; it deserves to be."

SE1 locations include Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, John Harvard Library and Old Kent Road Surgery. A screen is expected to be installed at London South Bank University shortly.

Sir Trevor McDonald told guests at the launch event: "I was delighted ... that you will share with people in Southwark – in this great borough – all the good things that are happening."

The former ITV News presenter, who is chancellor of London South Bank University, spoke of his appreciation of the borough of Southwark: "I've always taken a great deal of pride in the fact that this is is one community which really celebrates its diversity."

Southwark Alliance Community Television is operated by CCN which provides similar services to councils around the country.

The TV service is funded by the Southwark Alliance, the local strategic partnership that bring together the council, police, health service and other authorities and community organisations.

The borough has long had a community media service called Southwark.TV which was set up by former LWT producer Chris Haydon. As well as films available online, Southwark.TV's work has featured on the Community Channel available on Sky, cable and Freeview.