IT was a bizarre and somewhat abrupt sign-off from a long-term contributor that left many BBC Radio Suffolk listeners rather confused.

But today the mystery behind the station’s final forecast from Weatherquest – delivered in an unusual fashion by expert Steve Western – can be disclosed.

Mr Western, one of the founders of Norwich-based Weatherquest, and his colleagues had been heard on air across the region’s local BBC stations every day for 15 years, but recently the corporation ended the arrangement.

In a playful mood on the morning of his final broadcast, Mr Western decided to confuse the audience – by delivering a message in Anglo Saxon.

“A lot of people have been asking me about it,” said Mr Western. “Nobody else had any idea about what was coming up at all.

“We used to go all around the regional network but the contract basically ended after 15 years.

“It was when it came to the end of my shift – I hung up without any explanation. It was on the Terry Baxter Breakfast Show – he said ‘I don’t know what you said but I hope it wasn’t rude.’

“The other guys were listening in another room here at Weatherquest and they knew because I had been practising it. They all laughed – I had been plotting it for some time, although I have plotted various things over the years.”

The message he sent out was “Se hoefon sy bleahaewen, se hassuc sy grennes, Ethelbert sy sael” - which translates as “The grass is green, the sky is blue and Ethelbert is happy” – a cryptic joke inspired by Noddy and Big Ears.

“It was a bit of a laugh,” added Mr Western.

Mr Western was one of the founders of Weatherquest, which provides forecasts to businesses and to members of the public.

For more details, visit www.weatherquest.co.uk