IT MAY be the time of year - but something certainly went awry with Hampshire County Council's state-of-the-art microphone system during yesterday's full council meeting.

In a breakdown in communication worthy of the best April Fool's jokes, councillors were left clutching their sides in mirth as broadcasts from an unknown mobile phone system began blaring through speakers as the serious business of questioning executive members got under way.

Proceedings had to be suspended after a mystery couple were heard chatting on the council's loudspeakers.

Councillor Keith Estlin the council's executive member for the environment, was just about to answer a question relating to Hampshire's planned Light Rapid Transit system between Gosport and Fareham when a loud voice was heard to ask "So what?" over the microphone.

Repeated attempts by members to speak over the system were interrupted by the two men - although what their conversation was about remained a mystery.

Proceedings were eventually suspended for ten minutes while officers made frantic searches around Hampshire County Council's building in a bid to track down the pair.

Hampshire County Council leader Councillor Ken Thornber remarked: "This is just for your entertainment."

It is not the first time that microphone systems have led to red faces among councillors.

Two weeks ago the Tory leader of New Forest Council, Mel Kendal, accidentally left his lapel microphone on while answering the call of nature.

Moments after he strode out of the council chamber, fellow council members were treated to the sounds of streaming water.

Did you spot our two April Fools in yesterday's Daily Echo.

That's right, the story about the Norwegian's wanting to ship Southampton's Bargate brick by brick to Scandinavia and the tale of the Hampshire watercress growers who were changing the colour of their crop from green to bronze were both hoaxes.