Published at 09:15, Saturday, 29 March 2008

TIM Backshall and Fiona Armstrong have fronted a special news bulletin as part of the campaign to save Lookaround.

Heading to London: Presenters Fiona Armstrong and Tim Backshall will be among the delegation meeting Ofcom today

The popular presenters are on video website YouTube calling on objectors to make their voices heard and stop ITV merging Border’s news service with Tyne Tees’ – killing off the programme they have become synonymous with. Introducing a three-minute package, Tim said: “We are worried about the level of news coverage in this area in future.”

Fiona added: “We really need to save Lookaround and have been campaigning hard.”

Among those who voice their opposition to the proposals in the film are Carlisle MP Eric Martlew and Dumfriesshire’s David Mundell, X-Factor finalist Chico, CFM’s Robbie Dee and Cumbrian mountaineers Doug Scott and Sir Chris Bonnington.

Chico said: “It is an institution and we need a revolution. Say no. We still want it on TV.”

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is expected to make a decision on ITV’s merger proposals next year.

Protests by staff and other opponents are continuing to gather momentum as they rally support to save Lookaround.

Mr Martlew and Copeland MP Jamie Reed were among dozens of politicians at a meeting to highlight concerns about ITV’s plans at Westminster this week. Border’s National Union of Journalists spokesman Adam Powell and Peter Howdle, of broadcast union Bectu, were also there.

One of the suggestions made there was to divert potentially hundreds of millions of pounds of unspent cash earmarked to support the digital television switchover to support regional news on commercial channels.

Mr Martlew afterwards renewed calls for pressure on Ofcom – who have the final say on whether mergers nationwide can go ahead – and said: “Nobody thought this was a good idea.”

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Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk