DO you remember the days when Radio Caroline and other offshore radio stations were anchored off the coast? From their floating bases just outside territorial limits, these stations beamed programmes of pop music to audiences which numbered millions during their heyday in the 'Swinging 60s.'

Now a new book has been published charting the colourful, intriguing and sometimes downright dangerous events associated with offshore broadcasting.

From International Waters, by radio historian Mike Leonard, of Heswall, chronicles the establishment, growth and demise of more than 60 offshore stations world-wide, television as well as radio, right up to the present day, making it the most comprehensive history of the subject ever published.

"1997 is a significant anniversary year in the history of offshore radio," said Mike. "It marks the 30th anniversary of the closure of most British offshore stations and it is also the 30th anniversary of the launch of BBC Radio One, which was created as a 'substitute' for the outlawed offshore broadcasters.

"A whole generation has now grown up being able to listen to all day pop music on the radio, but few know how this came about or what radio was like for the pop fan before the arrival of the offshore stations.

"In this book I have tried to explain how revolutionary the arrival of Radio Caroline was and the huge impact created by it and the other offshore stations in Swinging 60s Britain."

Mike lives in Heswall with his wife Joan and two sons The book is available from Forest Press, PO Box 1, Heswall, Wirral L60 3TH.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.