CAMPAIGNERS who are fighting to keep BBC local radio presenter Shirley Ludford on air have pledged to switch off their radios when her last show finishes.

"Well over 1,000 people have signed our petition calling on the Swindon station manager Vernon Harwood to change his mind,'' said Norma Miller of the protest group The A Team.

"We are asking people to join us in pulling the plug on Wiltshire Sound on October 15, and we won't be listening again until Mr Harwood decides to restore Shirley's weekend programmes.''

Mr Harwood, who came from Gloucester in April to take over the Swindon station, announced last month that Ms Ludford was to be taken off air and given a backroom research job, and that presenter Sandy Martin would be moved from his lunchtime show on Friday, and given her Saturday and Sunday time slots.

He said the changes were part of a major plan to revise and improve the station's output, but his announcement provoked uproar among fans and a demonstration outside the Old Town studio.

The Millers are asking protesters to refuse to tune in to Wiltshire Sound again until Mr Harwood agrees to put Mrs Ludford back on air.

"Apart from the brief meeting we had with him outside the studio we have had no response from him,'' said Mrs Miller. "We have written to BBC managing director Greg Dyke, and we are now waiting for a reply.''

Anyone wanting further information on the protest can contact Mr and Mrs Miller on 0786 7761505.