Two Canadian radio stations were forced into an embarrassing U-turn after offering a "bounty" for interviews with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

The K-Rock and 96X stations, which are based in Edmonton, Alberta, offered listeners C$10,000 (£4,600) if they could drag one of the stars off the set of Pitt's latest film, which is being shot locally.

A double "Brangelina Bounty" of C$20,000 (£9,200) was offered if both stars were brought in for a 30-minute interview, with a top prize of C$50,000 (£22,900) if they somehow managed to bring along Pitt's estranged wife Jennifer Aniston too.

The stations put out a list of 15 terms and conditions, stipulating that "Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston may be brought into the 96X Studios at any time".

But before any listeners had the chance to try their luck and hunt down one of the stars, the stations decided to call off the stunt. The bounty had been criticised in the local press and on the internet, and instead the company has donated C$10,000 to the Salvation Army for the Hurricane Katrina relief fund.

The stations said the change of heart was unconnected to any criticism from the film community.

"Our decision to change gears has nothing to do with any heat from the film community," the station manager, Rob Mise, told the Edmonton Sun. "We're helping our American friends in a time of trouble."

But the paper was more cynical: "We'd actually believe him, had K-Rock/96X started a Hurricane Katrina relief campaign AND kept up its Brangelina Bounty contest."

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