A PIRATE radio station based in Lancaster and Morecambe has been forced to stop broadcasting.

Phantom FM went off air this week as the radio authorities closed in.

The pioneers behind the station, which attracts 4,000 regular local listeners, were said to be "gutted" but claim they were left with no choice.

Unlicensed broadcasts can result in equipment being confiscated, hefty fines and a five year ban on any future licence applications.

Phantom FM have repeatedly stated that they want a community broadcast licence to legally broadcast across the district.

They also claim they are caught in a "Catch 22" situation with the Radio Authority.

"The rules are that we can apply for a licence if we don't broadcast," said one Phantom DJ. "A very professional pirate station in Sheffield was told that if they stopped broadcasting they'd get a licence. Two years later and they've not heard a thing. If you're a radio station and you're not on air you don't exist! You don't get a chance to prove yourself or offer any sort of service. But if you broadcast you can get closed down, fined and banned from broadcasting. It's Catch 22."

Phantom organisers have been amazed at the local reaction with 150 calls in one three-hour set. Featuring local DJs and with lots of local volunteers, they consider themselves to be the area's true community station.

Another DJ added: "The Radio Authority has taken away a fresh new voice of the people of Lancaster and Morecambe. We were doing no harm to anyone and providing a service to local people who are currently not catered for. Everyone who helped out did it voluntarily and felt involved in Phantom FM. We'd encourage everyone who supports us to write to their local MP."

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