In London, Virgin Radio’s once troubled breakfast show has received a boost with the news that award winning presenters, Geoff Lloyd and Pete Mitchell, have signed up for a further two years until 2007.

The deal ends speculation the pair might have been poached by Radio 2.

The duo, who have won two Sony awards and worked together for eight years, have headed a resurgence of the rock station’s breakfast shift since they took over in January 2003.

Lloyd and Mitchell have wowed audiences with their irreverent humour and are credited with attracting 35 000 extra listeners.

Virgin breakfast has been dogged by uncertainty since the controversial departure of Chris Evans in June 2001. Other presenters tried include Steve Penk and Daryl Denham before Lloyd and Mitchell stepped in.