[UPDATE: Thanks for the amazing support and contributing not only towards securing the archive of recipes but also to the debate on who determines and dictates media content and the role and remit of public service broadcasting. Please keep signing!]

The BBC has announced far reaching cuts in order to make the cost savings ordered by the Government. The BBC website is a key target and a range of areas such as travel and food will be hard hit. BBC Food's vast library of over 11,000 recipes is going to be culled.

This is a much loved and used website and a precious resource for people across the country providing easy, free and importantly independent information on a vast range of foods and recipe options. The database provides inspiration for those with a few ingredients to come up with meal ideas and cook from scratch.

When the Government is trying to promote healthy eating, surely it is madness to remove such a comprehensive archive which has taken years to create, not to mention time and money. Whilst maintaining and developing it undoubtedly takes investment, simply retaining the archive in its current form is surely not an overly expensive task, especially measured against the meagre cost savings and the loss to the community, as evidenced by the outcry on social media.

We plead with the BBC to keep the recipes and find cost savings elsewhere.