A BATTLE of the airwaves took another twist this week when Chorley Community Radio Group threatened legal action against 'Live and Let Live Radio' which it says is calling itself Chorley FM.

Chorley FM Radio Ltd and Chorley FM Ltd are locked in a battle with the Radio Authority over who uses the name Chorley FM - the name first made famous by comedian Peter Kay.

Chorley FM Ltd, now 'Live and Let Live Radio', started life at the borough's Mid Summer Festival in June 2001 as a temporary community station promoting local talent. The other station, Chorley FM Radio Ltd was launched as a commercial station broadcasting from last November for four weeks.

Both groups have attempted to register the name Chorley FM with the Radio Authority, which refused to get involved in the dispute and said neither could use the name until the problems were ironed out. But 'Live and Let Live' radio, currently broadcasting on 87.9fm has been accused of using the name in its publicity and during programmes.

And now bosses of the commercial station, currently attempting to gain a full-time licence for a brand new Chorley radio station, say listeners and advertisers are so baffled they may have to take legal action to resolve the dispute.

Allan Scott, Chairman of Chorley Community Radio Group said: "This saga is absolutely ridiculous. The radio station currently on air is trying to pass itself off as the 'real' Chorley FM, which it is clearly not.

"It has no right to be using the name Chorley FM, but it has done so on numerous occasions. By broadcasting on the same frequency as us and using the same name, they are blatantly trying to hi-jack the project and undoing all the hard work we have done over the past 18 months.

"My advertisers and listeners have been asking if I have anything to do with 'Live and Let Live.'

"We have written to Chorley Borough Council and we are in the process of taking legal advice about the best course of action to take.

"We just want 'Live and Let Live Radio' bosses to go on the record and apologise for using the name and explain that they are not, and never will be, Chorley FM."

Mr Scott said he believed the broadcasts were jeopardising the chances of Chorley and Leyland gaining a permanent local licence.

Christian Storm, station manger for 'Live and Let Live radio,' defended the volunteer-run station, which is funded by Chorley and South Ribble Arts Partnership. He said: "I have nothing to apologise for. While we have been setting up the station for the past year my DJs have been using the name Chorley FM because we had a legal right to do so.

"When the dispute started we stopped using the name and changed it to 'Live and Let Live,' but because the DJs have been calling it Chorley FM for so long, there are bound to be slip ups on air.

"It's not intentional and has only happened a handful of times. Our station is completely voluntary and is not trying to compete for a commercial licence."