GMG Radio is to rebrand its Glasgow rock music station as Real Radio XS after discussions to sell the licence came to an end this week.

Rock Radio had been coveted by former GMG Radio managing director Billy Anderson. He left that post in July to mount a takeover bid for the station and talked of turning it into something "radically different".

But a deal has not materialised and on 24 October GMG will relaunch it as 96.3 Real Radio XS instead. Its sister station in Manchester is also taking the new name.

GMG Radio chief executive Stuart Taylor said: “Rebranding to Real Radio XS provides a much stronger commercial proposition to advertisers in Scotland and greater brand strength and awareness for our rock music station.

"The station will continue to have a distinctive rock sound and will cater for all  rock music fans in Glasgow and Central Scotland, but this move will give it the best possible chance to grow.”

Rock Radio has an audience of 67,000 in Glasgow. GMG hopes the new name will help it attract some of the 646,000 adults who tune in to Real Radio across the Central Belt.