AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into allegations that a Bangladeshi television station based in Walthamstow broke broadcasting regulations.

Channel S, based in Clifford Road, is accused of charging organisations to air fundraising appeals on two of its subsidiary channels.

Ofcom rules prohibit broadcasters from charging for fundraising appeals.

The appeals were broadcast on two channels owned by the company, ATN Bangla, in Whitechapel and Iqra TV in Bow.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "An investigation has been launched into some television stations owned by Channel S Global Ltd regarding their output in relation to charity appeals and potential breaches of our rules regarding paid-for programming.

"Ofcom takes the protection of viewers extremely seriously and when our rules are broken, we take firm action.

If Ofcom finds the channel to have broken rules, it could face a fine of up to five per cent of its advertising revenue or have its license revoked, though this is rare.

This is not the first time the channel, which is the most viewed Bangladeshi channel in the UK with an audience of half a million, has been investigated by the authorities.

Last December it was fined £40,000 for repeatedly broadcasting a political advertisement.