A PIECE of history has been 'stolen' from radio station Magic 999 by Cliff Richard fanatics.

The station's time capsule, containing a tape of Red Rose's first ever news broadcast 18 years ago, a copy of the Citizen, signed football shirts and other memorabilia, disappeared soon after being buried.

The capsule is pictured with Sir Tom Finney, Micheklle Surrell and djs Beck and Carter.

And now station bosses have received a ransom demand, together with a picture of the capsule.

The note states that the capsule will only be returned if Sir Cliff's last song is played four times in a row on Magic 999 between 9 and 10am tomorrow (Friday).

Michelle Surrell, managing director of Magic 999, said: "It is definitely our time capsule. On the picture, we can see our inscription on the side.

"Last year Sir Cliff released a song which many radio stations would not play. There was a lot of hue and cry and we had a lot of complaints because we didn't play it on Rock FM or the old Red Rose stations.

"Their demand is a hefty one because we know they have our capsule. We are thinking very hard about what to do. The capsule was buried at a special ceremony with chairman Sir Tom Finney two weeks ago. Presenter Mark Keen days later received two calls from someone claiming to have it. Anyone with information should call Magic 999 on 556301.

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