BBC Local Radio supports everyone in the community by sharing stories, large and small, our triumphs, our disasters, help needed and community action being taken.  It is quite simply  the voice of our community and it's specific to our region.

The current £19m cuts planned to the local BBC radio service will see the current regional programming cut and instead shared across counties in the afternoons, evenings and weekends, with the loss of jobs and also the loss of a vital voice for many in the community.

There will be less space to talk about our charity endeavours, events, community action needed, support delivered or services in crisis. There will be too much competition for space and not enough local knowledge to share the essential stories of our community.

Local knowledge and action are the definition of 'grass roots', and without a mouthpiece our communities will be weakened. 

BBC local radio was a life-line for many during covid, especially those who were house-bound and alone.  The news that their 'friend' will be irrevocably changed may be hard to take.

Once the service has begun to be dismantled, it will be impossible to put it back together again. 

Please help us to call on the BBC to rethink their plans to weaken local BBC radio and to support it rather than dilute this unique service.