John Radford axed

John Radford, who presents Breakfast Live in Sussex on BBC Southern Counties Radio, will leave the station at the end of March.

Other colleagues have also lost their jobs in the shake up which will see more programmes being produced and presented in Sussex.

The radio host has presented his weekday show from Brighton since August 1997 when the BBC decided to split its region for three separate breakfast shows.

Current Surrey breakfast host Ed Douglas will also lose his job as will drivetime presenter Dominic Busby.

It is also understood Bill Buckley, the afternoon show presenter and former That's Life presenter, will not have his contract renewed.

Mr Radford, who also writes a weekly newspaper column for the Observer, said he is unable to comment on the situation because of contractual restrictions within the BBC.

It is believed the wholesale changes are being implemented because of poor listening figures.

The figures produced by RAJAR are based on listeners recording their daily habits in a diary.

Overall statistics show that in the last year, BBC Southern Counties' share of available audience has decreased.

Just 4.9 per cent of people living within the station's catchment area now listen during an average week.

This is a 0.9 per cent decrease on those listening this time last year.

Neil Pringle, managing editor of BBC Southern Counties Radio, said: "In April the BBC Southern Counties main news room and some programmes will be moving from Guildford to our Sussex base in Brighton.

"This will enable us to focus a lot more on what is happening in the Sussex area, though we will still maintain a strong Surrey presence.

"The schedule is changing, with some new talent which we will reveal in the new year.

"We are excited at the prospect and look forward to continuing to provide the best in local radio for the area."