We had the same problem four years ago when BBC GMR was 'rebranded' to its old name 'Radio Manchester', and in the process ditched everything Manchester from its schedules.

Our programme, Ali O'Brien's Sounds of Folk, was one such programme they ditched, and I see they're using much the same argument this time around... we were told that the Community Radio Stations were in a better postion to serve 'specialist music' programming. Apparently this time Channel Four are better than the Beeb...!

We were also sworn to secrecy about the plans to take us off air... luckily, someone else from another programme blew the whistle in the national press, so people had a chance to have their say - and be completely fobbed off.

Well, the BBC's loss was Oldham Community Radio's gain - we will been broadcasting with them for three years on March 17th (baptism of fire with a two hour St. Patrick's Special!), and even have our programme repeated on Fridays.

It would be easy to use money as the excuse, but I think not - after all, the programmes which were axed had a paid presenter supported by volunteer production staff, and were replaced by a paid presenter and paid production staff.

PRS/MCPS savings couldn't be an issue, either, because they play as much music now as then, and it's all mainstream playlist stuff - at least we had regular live performances.

There's more to it than meets the eye, mark my words!