Plans for a special London Olympics radio station to broadcast in the capital during the 2012 Games have been scrapped. Media regulator Ofcom pulled the plug on the project – which would have broadcast on digital audio broadcasting (DAB) only – because of a lack of interest.

Ofcom had said it had expected demand for new radio services to be "particularly high" during the Olympics and Paralympics. But it ruled out the possibility of the short-term station being available on AM or FM – and therefore making it available to a much wider audience – because of lack of analogue spectrum.

The regulator said it had received just 10 responses to its appeal for "preliminary expressions of interest", a number of which were not suitable and did not meet its digital-only requirements.

"Ofcom has carefully considered this issue, in consultation with government and taking into account the expressions of interest which were submitted," it said in its latest radio broadcast update.

"The limited number of responses means we have not been able to gauge fully how attractive a proposition this is likely to be to commercial operators, and by extension the benefits to consumers and citizens that may be realised.

"The lack of compelling evidence of demand, coupled with the not insignificant process involved (including the drafting of primary legislation) in licensing any such services, has led Ofcom to decide not to proceed with the possible licensing of digital radio services for the period during and around the London 2012 Games."