Birdsong radio taken off the air

The recording of birds was made 20 years ago

A digital radio station which became unexpectedly popular with listeners by playing just birdsong has gone off air.

It has been replaced by an interactive radio station which will play a mix of indie, urban, rock and jazz music by unsigned artists.

The Birdsong channel had been broadcasting for almost 18 months.

It was aimed as a temporary filler after the DAB OneWord station closed, but attracted thousands of listeners. Some fans set up Facebook sites.

The recording was made 20 years ago in the Wiltshire garden of Quentin Howard, who is now the chief executive of a number of radio stations.

He decided to broadcast it to fill the empty radio space, and since then nearly half a million people tuned in. Author Sir Terry Pratchett said he found it relaxing. A separate Birdsong Radio began online, selling CDs.

Its replacement, Amazing Radio, features songs from unsigned artists who have uploaded their music to website amazingtunes.com over the past four years.