NRegan

Last updated 00:00, Thursday, 10 January 2008

THE FATE of ITV Border’s nightly news magazine programme Lookaround will be decided by spring 2009.

Broadcast industry watchdog Ofcom will launch a 10-week consultation in September before making a final decision.

Details emerged during a meeting between Carlisle MP Eric Martlew and Ofcom official Peter Phillips.

If ITV’s money-saving plans to merge the news operation of Border and Tyne Tees are approved, it would signal the end of Lookaround, Border’s half-hour news magazine. It could be replaced by about 10 minutes of local coverage slotted into nightly news to be broadcast by Tyne Tees.

Mr Martlew was told by Ofcom chiefs that they had received more representation from people over the proposed Border changes than in any other region.

Border staff, who fear for their jobs, fear the merger would lead to poorer TV coverage of Cumbria. They have started a campaign to save Lookaround, with cross-party political backing.