Perhaps Mick and Lester could take heart from what happened in April 2006 at BBC GMR (now Radio Manchester again).

Ali O'Brien and I used to present 'Sounds of Folk' until the Beeb did exactly what they are now doing to Radio Derby, and axed all the 'Specialist Music' programming.

As the programme format, etc., is Ali's 'Intellectual Copyright' we simply moved the programme over to Oldham Community Radio 99.7fm, which is also streamed on the (internet), complete with 'Listen Again' going back to March this year!

They've even rearranged the schedule around us over Christmas and New Year - we're doing a two hour Christmas Special on Christmas Eve from 6.00pm to 8.00pm, which will be repeated the following Monday at the same time, and a New Year Special on New Year's Eve from 6.00pm to 8.00pm, also repeated on the following Monday.

We only ever experienced negativity and complaints from the management at the Beeb... at Oldham Community Radio the station manager, Dave McGealy, often sends us text messages to say how much he and his wife are enjoying listening to the programme...

Would we go back to the Beeb? Not a chance - they kept cancelling our programme at short notice for 'sports coverage'...!! The equipment we're using is first class - state of the art Soundcraft digital broadcast desk and P-Squared's 'Myriad'... we couldn't be happier!