BOURNEMOUTH-based broadcaster Hot Radio has shocked listeners by announcing it will stop broadcasting on Monday.

The news was delivered in two messages on Twitter this afternoon – a month after the station was given a five-year extension to its licence.

The first said: “It is with regret that Hot Radio will cease broadcasting on Monday January 6 at 1800.”

A second added: “We would like to thank all our staff, listeners and advertisers for all their support over the last five years.”

Ihe community radio station started in 2008 as Bay 102.8, based in Poole.

In February 2012, AFC Bournemouth’s then-chairman Eddie Mitchell announced that he would be re-launching it as Hot Radio, based at the Goldsands Stadium in Dean Court.

A statement from AFC Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn said today: "After a great deal of deliberation and with much regret, we have decided to close Hot Radio.

"AFC Bournemouth has financially supported the station over the last two years, but unfortunately it just doesn't make business sense to keep it operating going forward.

"I'd like to thank all those who have supported the station during the time it has been at the club and everyone who has worked so hard to make it a success."

In November, the station won permission from industry regulator Ofcom to continue broadcasting on 102.8FM until November 2018.

The licence is held in the name of Poole Community Radio Ltd.

The station had more than 20 volunteer workers as well as paid staff. It claimed a weekly reach of 30,000 listeners.