An April Fool?s Day hoax by Hott 107.5 ? announcing its demise ? duped listeners yesterday including one woman who travelled with a cheque book from Somerset to help with the bail out.

The stunt was pulled by DJs Bootsie Nefertari and Brother Ritchie on their morning show yesterday sparking a large reaction for the black-owned station which started last July.

The joke was a closely guarded secret at Hott 107.5 although those in the know made it more realistic by calling other people and asking for jobs in the lead up to the announcement.

General manager Glenn Blakeney said programme director Elroy RC Smith and assistant programme director Thaao Dill had cooked up the idea while even his partner Scott Pearman had not been clued in.

?They were exposed to the overseas way of doing things on live radio,? Mr. Blakeney said. ?We want everyone to give us the attention we deserve when they tune in.

?People were coming out of the woodwork saying what can we do? It was crazy. I have never in all my years in broadcasting seen such support.

?Very responsible business people were saying they could get a manager?s cheque to us by 2 o?clock.

?A lady came from Somerset with a cheque book. It blew my mind.?

When she was told the truth the woman put her head in her hands and shook it although she did see the funny side ? but only just.

But the publicity stunt was branded by former Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb as in poor taste.

She said she had taken numerous calls from concerned listeners pleading with her to save the popular station.

?They wanted me to help rescue the station,? Ms Webb said. ?I came to town to go to the station. I guess people will do for publicity whatever they see fit, but it upset a lot of people.

Mr. Blakeney said: ?Some people thought it in bad taste, other people laughed at it.

?It was supposed to be a practical joke and we could not have executed it any better.

?We apologise for any anxiety it caused for those who thought it was in bad taste.?

Telecommunications Assistant Director Hyram Edwards said there had been one complaint that the station was soliciting funds which was being investigated.

But Mr. Blakeney said no one had asked for any financial help and the offers had been a spontaneous reaction.