A North-East radio station was counting the cost yesterday after a breakfast show DJ made a gaffe live on air.

TFM presenter Mojo thought his microphone was off when he commented to co-host Cara that a cash prize of £10,000 was too small.

He told his sidekick that the breakfast show should raise the prize to £15,000 instead, unaware that he was still on air.

The broadcast led to a number of calls to the Stockton radio station.

Programme director Colin Patterson said last night the radio station was looking into the matter.

He said: "TFM presenter Mojo was heard to comment that the prize money for our latest Up to Speed cash give-away should be raised to £15,000 instead of the agreed £10,000.

"He did this without the authorisation of the station's management and did not realise at the time the serious consequences of his comments.

"We have since received a number of complaints from our listeners and management has taken the decision to uphold this amount.

"The station will therefore be giving away £15,000 instead of the proposed £10,000."