PIRATE radio broadcasters have dashed the summer plans of a fledgling Gravesend station by blocking its airwaves with a powerful signal.

River Radio has been forced to pull the plug on its summer programme, due to go live this month, because it cannot compete with the illegal transmissions.

The News Shopper reported in April River, which has campaigned for a full-time slot for several years, had won the right to broadcast for four weeks in FM stereo for the first time.

But as the station was preparing to go on air workers discovered a pirate station was already transmitting on the 87.9FM frequency River had been allocated. Project director Ian McGregor said: “It would be like us trying to compete with Radio 1 the signal is far too strong. In the interests of our listeners, it will be better for us to broadcast when we are sure the frequency is clear and we can do the job properly.

“We have refunded our sponsors and advertisers and had we gone any closer to the launch date it could have cost us a lot of money.

“We are all very disappointed but our campaign for a full-time licence will go on and we will still hold our summer roadshows.”

Licences are issued by the Radio Authority but responsibility for keeping the airwaves clear for legitimate users lies with the Radiocommunications Agency, which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry.

A spokesman said: “We have taken action this year against pirate stations in the area.

“But if the transmissions are very powerful the signal could make its way down the Thames corridor from anywhere in London. It is a criminal and anti-social activity and such operations are a menace to legal broadcasters and the public alike.”

The River team will be performing at Northfleet Carnival on July 7 and at two regattas on Gordon Promenade on July 14 and 15 and August 11 and 12.