FOR a man about to launch a television station dedicated to the most spine-chilling films in history, Tony Hazell has more of the air of an expectant father than a tormented Dr Frankenstein.

"I imagine the feeling I have got in my stomach is the same as the people at NASA have before a space launch," he said. "We are on countdown now and it is all starting to come together."

The Horror Channel launches on Sky next month. It will be free to view and will offer classic and modern movies, which will be broadcast from 6pm to 6am.

Transmission to ntl cable viewers is scheduled to start before Christmas.

The man who is heading a channel designed to make the blood freeze, fondly remembers the first time he saw a scary movie.

"I was about 11 and sneaked into the cinema for a Hammer Horror movie called The Reptile," he said. "It scared the living daylights out of me. It was an X-certificate, but probably would only rate as a PG these days."

Far from putting him off, his experience led to a lifelong love of horror films. He enthuses about The Exorcist and Jaws as classic nerve-janglers.

He is just as eloquent when discussing the schedule for the channel's opening night on May 3.

Its first feature will be The Ghoul, a rare 1933 classic starring Boris Karloff.

"The world thought it had been lost forever, then a couple of years ago, a 35mm copy with French subtitles turned up in Czechoslovakia of all places," he said.

"It hasn't been seen on TV for years."

The idea for a horror-only station struck him as he was watching the Sci-Fi Channel on Sky.

"All of a sudden, I saw that horror should have a channel of its own," he said.

"It was a real 'Eureka' moment."

He decided to press ahead with the idea when the end came for God TV, the Christian channel he worked for, which broadcast from Darlington and Gateshead.

"There have been a lot of headlines about me swapping Heaven for Hell, but it's not strictly true," he said.

"I was not at God TV for any religious beliefs I may hold. I am a television professional, whether that means working for a basket weaving channel, God channel or horror channel."

The idea has taken more than a year to come to fruition, but the former Thames Television man believes the timing could not be better.

"Horror is undergoing a massive revival, mainly driven by Hollywood. But if you look at the TV schedules here, there is quite a lot of horror being shown across secular television."

He hopes his creation will have the same broad appeal.

"We are not just for the goths and vampire kids," he said. "It is for anyone who wants a thrill or to be frightened in the safe environment of their own home.

"We aim to be across the board and have got everything from quite heavy thrillers to Alfred Hitchcock, to Hammer Horror.

"We have had a one-page website up and running for a couple of months, and the amount of e-mails we have had is unbelievable. The interest out there is very high and we feel we are on to a winner."

The channel that promises to scare us half to death is based in stylish but anonymous offices, part of the Stonehills complex in Pelaw, Gateshead.

"I am happy being here rather than Newcastle Quayside," he said.

"There is a lot of creativity in the region and we as a company want to tap into that. Our aim is to keep it regional and keep people working in the region."

Fronting the station will be presenter Jade Fox. The 22-year-old model was selected from more than 2,000 applicants at open auditions held in London earlier this year.

"Jade was our choice because she couldn't be further away from your stereotypical horror TV presenter," said Mr Hazell.

"We were determined to get away from that dark, gothic look, to avoid that label. Presentation is very important in this business."

Setting up his own TV station has also meant Mr Hazell, who lives in South Church, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, could stay in the North-East.

"I like living in the region," he said. "When God TV went, it was very worrying. I had to decide, do I go back to London, or risk everything and start this channel.

"I don't believe you have to live above the shop any more, with today's technology you can operate from anywhere."

He settled in the North-East eight years ago, after returning to Britain from Italy, where he worked for a television company in Rome.

He lives with wife Judith, and their children, daughter Jordan, 13, Nicolas, 11, and Gabriella, nine.

As part of his commitment to the region, the channel is sponsoring the mini-rugby section of Darlington Rugby Club, and from next season its name will be emblazoned on the youngsters' kit.

While the Horror Channel is still several weeks away from launching, he is already pressing ahead with plans for more channels.

In the pipeline is Amore TV, a channel dedicated to romantic movies, which is due to launch later this year.

"It couldn't be any further from the Horror Channel, it's true," he said. "It will feature mainly Mills and Boon or Barbara Cartland-type movies."

Asked if he is building an empire, he shakes his head.

"Empire building is for little Napoleons," he said. "I don't intend to compete with the big boys, just have a nice little business and make some money, in an industry I love."

Published: ??/??/2004