Just to show what a sad case I am, here are my favourite radio books. Wait a minute while I don my anorak and my mended-with-sellotape glasses..

Offshore Radio by Gerry Bishop, 1975. The first pirate radio book I bought, it has plenty of photos and info about the ships and events from the years 1958 to 74.

Pirate Radio then and now by Stuart Henry and Mike von Joel. 1985. A year-by-rear rundown from 1958 to 1984, it also contains articles about the DJ's of the time.

RNI. A souvenir book published by Victor Pelli in 1971. It's a potted history of RNI, consisting mainly of photos of the ship, the studios and DJ's.

Last of the Pirates, Bob Noakes, 1984. Of all my books on offshore radio, I think this is the most engrossing and enjoyable. Written by the engineer/DJ Bob Noakes who was on board the Mi Amigo and the Mebo2. Bob writes with affection of the highs and lows, the magic and the misery of life aboard a radio ship. It's a terrific read and I challenge any fan to get through the final chapters without having to brush away a tear.

Butterfly upon the wheel, Peter Moore 1992. A personal account of Caroline's 'third era' from the viewpoint of the dedicated support team on land.

Radio 270: a life on the Oceaan Waves. Bob Preedy. A fascinating and overdue look at the short life of Yorkshires very own pirate ship.

Pop went the Pirates, Keith Skues 1994. Written by one of broadcastings big names, who started manning the decks in 1958 at the British Forces Network and went on to work for Caroline, London and the BBC. Rich in personal detail and with plenty of photos, Pop went the Pirates is a damn good (and long!) read.

Radio Caroline - Last of the Pirates. A short souvenir booklet produced by the Caroline organisation for Caroline's 30th birthday.

From International Waters by Mike Leonard 1996. A tour de force by the author, who brings together almost everything from the various strands of offshore radio over the years and somehow bashes it into shape and makes sense of it all. A huge book full of fascinating stories and pictures, and in my case several coffee stains. Damn!