Why the whole world is listening to Radio Teesdale

8:28am Tuesday 11th March 2008

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RADIO Teesdale was unknown outside County Durham before last week, but that has changed thanks to a blunder by DJ Andy Greener.

The volunteer, who goes by the name Mr Andy, spent an hour of his show last Wednesday morning talking to himself after he forgot to press the button that connects him with the outside world.

Station manager Peter Dixon was shocked to hear the automated system rather than Mr Greener's usual mix of current affairs, chat and music.

He tried to call Mr Greener, but the former police officer was too engrossed in his show to answer the phone.

After an hour, Mr Dixon got through and the show went back on air. The Northern Echo was first to pick up on the mistake, but were followed by a wave of media interest, both nationally and internationally.

As a result, Radio Teesdale, which was only set up last year and is run almost entirely by volunteers, has been the subject of world attention. Newspapers and websites from as far away as Canada and Pakistan have all featured the story and one fan from Holland has even recorded a song, called Press the Button.

A radio station in Kansas has sent in some jingles and more local residents are volunteering to help out.

"It's been like a bushfire the way it has spread," said Mr Greener.

"It has been phenomenal - to think that a tiny local radio station is getting all this attention internationally.

"When I Google my name there are pages and pages of stories about me."

Yesterday, Mr Greener presented his first show since the blunder and said he was more nervous than usual.

"It felt like the first time I had ever gone on air," he said.

"I had a laugh about it and took the mick out of myself, because what else can you do?"

Mr Dixon said: "We are now getting people who you wouldn't expect to be listening to the station stopping us in the street.

"It's great that we have had all of this international and national recognition, but the most pleasing aspect has been that it has raised our profile locally, because that is where it matters."

To volunteer at Radio Teesdale call 01833-696684 or e-mail studio@radioteesdale.co.uk