A TOWER crane operator on Ipswich's waterfront development has hooked himself a weekly radio show.Trevor Durham has been working for Select Plant Hire on the docks for the past 13 months, making the daily journey to and from home in Clacton-on-Sea by motorcycle.

A TOWER crane operator on Ipswich's waterfront development has hooked himself a weekly radio show.

Trevor Durham has been working for Select Plant Hire on the docks for the past 13 months, making the daily journey to and from home in Clacton-on-Sea by motorcycle.

The 57-year-old can often be found listening to his portable radio as he towers hundreds of feet over Ipswich but it was when he tuned into Ipswich Community Radio (ICR) by chance one day that he had a moment of inspiration.

He said: “I was just flicking through the channels and I landed on a station that was playing my kind of music.

“I listened on and they said anyone could have a go.”

With that invitation ringing in his ears, Mr Durham visited ICR's Princes Street studio and signed up for a short part-time course in broadcasting.

Four weeks later he sent the station a demo of his hosting skills. ICR liked what they heard and he became the station's newest DJ.

When it came to thinking of a name for his two hour show, Mr Durham wanted it to reflect his love of music.

He said: “I've got a heap of records and the music I play has many layers so that's why I called it The Onion Show.

“I play anything from Talvin Singh and John Taverner to Santana and Hendrix.”

Mr Durham is no novice when it comes to making his voice heard. Seven years in the navy saw him take charge of the airwaves on his ship's radio station. A motorbike accident ended his naval career but he took his love of radio to his new job as a crane operator.

And he isn't the only DJ in the Durham family, as 21-year-old son, Jon, hopes to follow in his dad's footsteps.

Mr Durham said: “He's practising as well and I think he'll get his own show, but he's more into stuff like drum n bass than the sort of music I like to play.”

Mr Durham hosts The Onion Show from 11-1pm every Friday on ICR.

Songs for swingin' crane drivers:

Midnight Crane to Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips

Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush

Life in The Fast Crane - The Eagles

Uncraned Melody ­- The Righteous Brothers

(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson

Purple Crane - Prince

Lifted - The Lighthouse Family.

Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.