No time to relax in fight for BBC Radio Cumbria - Farron

Cumbrian MP, Tim Farron is stepping up the campaign to protect the future of BBC Radio Cumbria, following a letter from BBC's Director General, Mark Thompson, indicating that no firm decisions have been made about BBC local radio services and that it is all still to play for.

Following reports that the BBC were planning to cut back local radio services to just breakfast and drive-time shows each day, Tim has been campaigning to protect BBC Radio Cumbria that has for so long played a unique role in providing news and information county-wide.

Tim recently wrote to Chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, to express his concern about the proposals and in his response from BBC Director General he said:

"I can assure you no decisions have been made yet and none of the ideas currently being explored will definitely happen. Equally, I can't rule anything out and we are still welcoming further suggestions."

Commenting today Tim said: "It is a great relief to hear from the BBC Director General and to know that the BBC are not making any rash decisions but are trying to look at the situation from all angles. The fact that there have been no firm decisions made with regards to the future of BBC local radio is a good thing, but it does not that we can sit back and relax.

"We must continue our fight to protect BBC Radio Cumbria and prove that it is a vital aspect of community life here in the South Lakes and one that we cannot and do not want to do without."