The decision was taken by officials at the Guildhall following the discovery that the colour screen in Queen Victoria Square had been operating illegally due to the Council only owning a black and white television licence.

 

A television detector van noticed the oversight while combing the area. “We had it listed as black and white,” said a spokesperson for TV licensing. “But when I looked out the van window I could clearly see local newsreader Peter Levy glowing in glorious technicolour.”

 

At an emergency finance meeting Council bigwigs voted unanimously to transform the oversized screen into an oversized radio.

 

“We cannot sustain such an increase in cost,” said Jemima Playschool of Hull City Council’s Finance Committee. “The difference between a colour licence and a black and white licence is almost £100. We simply don’t have the funds, even if we paid quarterly by direct debit.”

 

The ground-breaking project will cost somewhere in the region of £2 million and is expected to begin immediately. A special committee will be formed to name the new piece of broadcasting equipment, in the style of much-loved 1960s station Radio Caroline. Current favourites include Neil or Terry.