Five Live has joined forces with the BBC's digital radio team, manufacturers and high street retailers across the country to offer you a discount of 10% on a new digital radio, when you trade in your portable FM set. The old sets will then be reconditioned and sent to Somalia and south Sudan, where they will be distributed by the World Service Trust.

The amnesty starts on July 6 and lasts until July 31, during which time around a thousand stores up and down the country will take part. Find out which retailers are taking part and how to trade in your radio on the BBC's Digital Radio website. Please check your DAB digital radio coverage before purchasing a DAB set. You can do this by entering your postcode in the DAB reception checker.

Five Live Controller Bob Shennan said, "There's never been a better time to convert to DAB radio or take some action to help people in Africa. With the new stations and quality that DAB radio brings the radio amnesty is a great idea and a winner all round"

BBC Presenter Nick Knowles - already recognised for his work with Comic and Sport Relief - is also backing the campaign and said, "A disused radio set, gathering dust in a spare room in Tunbridge Wells could end up making a real difference to a family in Somalia."

"Every set that is traded in will help the educational projects the World Service Trust runs in Africa."

Retailers will accept battery-powered FM/AM radios (not hi-fi separates or mains only sets), which will be reconditioned, fitted with new batteries and shipped for distribution by the BBC World Service Trust and its partner, the Africa Educational Trust

They will use the radios to further their work on the Somalia Distance Education for Literacy project - or 'Radio Teacher' - which offers education to men and women who have grown up during civil war with no chance of schooling.

There is a shortage of Somali teachers and there are few western volunteers, so the only choice is to use the mass media; radio is by far the most widespread medium in Somalia, with the BBC Somali Service the most popular broadcaster.

The project teaches literacy through discussions of issues like human rights, health and environmental protection, and has been a great success, with 10,000 people registering for the first teaching cycle.

The series is now being run for a second time and a further 7,000 students have signed up. The BBC World Service Trust and AET are also planning to replicate the literacy project for the South Sudanese Audience and are exploring the possibility of training farmers and teachers using similar techniques.

The more radios made available to audiences in Somalia and Sudan, the more students will be able to benefit from these projects.

The following retailers and manufacturers are supporting the Radio Amnesty: John Lewis | Dixons | Currys | Comet | Retra (Independent retailers) | Roberts Radio | Pure | Sony

Batteries to power the reconditioned radios are being supplied by Duracell.

The BBC wishes to thank all the participating companies for their assistance and support for the Radio Amnesty 2005.

Visit bbc.co.uk/digitalradio or call 08700 100 500 for further details and to find out how you can help.