FURIOUS radio listeners last night threatened to boycott a national chain of fashion shops after the company chairman made a "disgraceful" comment about the Queen Mother.

Businessman Dave Charlton, chairman of Sunderland-based retailer Officers Club, incurred the wrath of the region's royalists when he appeared as a guest on BBC Radio Newcastle yesterday.

During a discussion about the length of time between the Queen Mother's death and next week's funeral, he described her body as "whiffy".

The remark provoked a barrage of complaints to the station's switchboard, forcing the entrepreneur into a hasty apology.

But his attempt to calm the situation after the show by saying he was "just trying to raise a smile at a difficult time" caused further outrage.

One, Royal fan, Anita Atkinson, of Bishop Auckland, vowed to boycott Mr Charlton's shop.

She said: "If that's all he can think to say, he should give up. Couldn't he think about all the good things she did in her life over the last 100 years - it's a disgrace."

Another Royal admirer, Martin Smith, 22, of Jesmond, Newcastle, said: "The Queen Mother was an institution loved by millions. Who the hell is this David Charlton anyway? I for one will not be shopping at the Officers Club again."

After appearing on the programme, Mr Charlton said he had not meant to cause offence.

He said: "Just like the rest of the country, I had the utmost respect and admiration for the Queen Mother and was simply trying to introduce a moment of levity in what is a fairly light-hearted and frank radio programme.

"I had no intention of upsetting the listeners. I set out to achieve the exact opposite, by trying to raise a smile at this difficult time."

A BBC spokesman said the show's presenter, Mike Parr, immediately invited Mr Charlton to retract the "flippant and offensive" remark, which he did.

"We apologise unreservedly to listeners who will have been offended and upset by the remark.

"Mr Charlton has apologised to BBC Radio Newcastle."