Decision to close local stations marks the end of commercial local radio - MP

Commenting on the news that Global have announced the closure of local commercial radio stations Smooth Lake District and Heart Cumbria and North Lancashire, local MP Tim Farron said:

"This is a really sad day. Brilliant presenters, producers, journalists and those behind the scenes look set to lose their jobs.

"But this decision is also a betrayal of communities across our area that rely on these stations to keep in touch with what's going on in their area.

"This has only been allowed to happen because of the Government's choice to change the guidelines so that stations can significantly reduce the amount of local content that they have to provide.

"As a result we are seeing the end of commercial local radio - not just here in Cumbria but across the country."