Plans to cut BBC radio programming have been blasted by a Norfolk council, which is demanding a rethink.
The public broadcaster has faced heavy criticism in recent weeks over plans for a major shake-up of local radio stations in England, axing local shows after 2pm including the popular weekend Treasure Quest show.
Now, South Norfolk Council (SNC) is calling for the corporation to look again at its plans and keep shows like Treasure Quest and Nick Risby at Night.
The move to make cuts to radio while expanding local online news was recently given approval by regulator Ofcom, despite an outcry against the move from the media industry.
John Fuller, the leader of SNC, said: "Radio Norfolk, it’s part of the fabric [of the county], it’s taken 40 years, that’s over a generation, to become part of the pattern of our lives here, in what is one of the country’s largest counties.
“On many measures, it has some of the largest reach of any of the local radio stations in this country. It is distinctive, iconic and innovative.
“What I regret is that the BBC seems to be taking a cavalier approach to what is a digital-first policy.”
Mr Fuller told Monday's council meeting he was not a "Luddite" and accepted a digital online services are part of the future but argued it could not be the only way for the public to access the BBC.
READ MORE: When did the BBC start broadcasting in Norfolk?
The council leader argued many rural Norfolk areas are out of reach of digital services.
He also said people of Norfolk would lose out on a radio station there to hold councillors to account and provide regional sports coverage.
Chris Brown, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, welcomed Mr Fuller's call for a rethink.
However, he also said he was surprised to see it come forward, arguing the cuts were a result of the Conservative government's BBC funding settlement "disaster".
He said: “At the end of the day it is driven by the BBC’s funding settlement that this Conservative government imposed on the BBC and they have to make cuts somewhere. They are having to make savings somewhere.
“I don’t agree with any of the cutbacks in local radio but then again if they proposed an alternative I may not agree with that.”
Mr Fuller's motion saw near-unanimous support, with one councillor abstaining.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here