BBC Radio Manchester presenters have been told they will need to "re-apply for their jobs" amid a major shake-up of local radio.
A total of 139 jobs are expected to be axed across the country after the BBC announced plans to cut staff and programming.
All jobs at BBC Radio Manchester will close under the new plan with all presenters forced to go through a re-application process for new positions, the M.E.N. understands.
READ MORE: Woman on the run after fleeing HMP Styal as police launch appeal
It is not yet clear whether any staff at the station will be made redundant, although a presenter at Radio Humberside this week claimed that all BBC local radio staff have been told they 'are at risk of redundancy'.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Our proposals clearly set out the need for a number of new and different roles. Adapting our services requires a completely different way of working and fewer presenters. We are conducting this process fairly and in consultation with staff, doing our very best to avoid compulsory redundancies.”
Under the proposals, all 39 BBC local radio stations will continue with their own dedicated local programming from 6am to 2pm on weekdays. After 2pm on weekdays, the BBC will produce 18 afternoon programmes across England - with a number of local stations sharing programming.
There are no plans for Radio Manchester to merge with any other station during daytime on weekdays, a BBC spokesperson confirmed.
Local radio stations will be able to maintain live sports programming throughout the week while local news bulletin services will be protected across the day on all stations.
There will be ten local programmes across England between 6pm-10pm on weekdays, across the day on Saturday, and on Sunday mornings. These programmes will mirror existing local television areas.
A national ‘all-England’ programme will be launched after 10pm across the week and on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Again, this will be in addition to any live sports programming which will continue to be broadcast locally.
Overall, BBC local staffing in England is expected to reduce by around 48 posts (around 2pc). A total of 139 roles in audio teams will be cut as greater programme sharing is introduced. This includes the 40 posts closing due to documentary series 'We are England' coming to an end, which was announced in May.
However, there will be 131 additional roles across local news services, including 11 new investigative reporting teams across the country to provide more analysis of key local issues across TV, radio and online.
The BBC expects to save around £19 million from the changes. The broadcaster says the money will be reprioritised from broadcast services towards online and multimedia production, to keep pace with changing audience expectations.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC Director of Nations, said: “These proposals aim to maintain the distinctiveness of our local services while allowing the BBC to adapt with our audiences and ensure we remain relevant. Taken together they will ensure our network of local services – across tv, radio, online and Sounds – offer more value for audiences.
"Of course, change is never easy – and we will work closely with all our colleagues to introduce these plans sensitively and fairly. BBC Local Radio remains an essential service for millions of listeners – the very best local radio network in the world - but it’s also essential we make difficult choices that will enable us to reach out to many people that increasingly rely on their mobiles for local content.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
'My love for my husband turned to HATE because our baby wouldn't sleep'
- Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 full list of traders at every location
'I tried the Sunday roast you can get delivered to your house for £5'
Thousands gather in the rain to watch firework display at Mayfield Park
Jury unable to reach verdicts in trial of dad accused of murdering two-week-old baby daughter
