UK radio station wrongly broadcasts that King Charles has died

A British radio station has issued an apology after wrongly broadcasting that King Charles had died.

In a statement on social media, the Essex-based Radio Caroline said a computer error in its main studio triggered the "Death of a Monarch" procedure.

It says it was accidentally activated on Tuesday afternoon (local time) and mistakenly announced that the King had died before the station went silent.

King Charles was currently visiting Northern Ireland with Queen Camilla, and had been seen out and about in the town of Newcastle, County Down, when Radio Caroline falsely announced his death.

The station said all UK stations had the procedure in readiness, but hoped not to require it.

"We apologise to King Charles and our listeners for any distress caused," Radio Caroline said.

"Caroline has been pleased to broadcast Her Majesty the Queen's and now the King's Christmas Message and we hope to do so for many years to come."

Listeners who commented on the social media post said the news came as a shock, but soon turned to amusement when they realised the station had made an error.

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