RADIO shows at BBC Oxford could be axed under new proposals being discussed by the corporation, a union has claimed.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) last night warned that only breakfast and drive-time shows would be produced in the city, with all other programming being delivered by Radio 5 Live.

Under the scheme, shows presented by Joel Hammer, Malcolm Boyden, Jo Thoenes, Roger Day and Paul Miller could all be cut.

Last night the BBC insisted no decisions had been made, as fans of the station appealed for local shows to be protected.

But Joel Hammer who hosts the early morning show warned bosses via his Twitter account: “BBC Radio Oxford tells Ox people stories, news/sport. No other station can. It represents and is part of Oxfordshire community. Don’t cut it.”

BBC South spokesman Kate Buxton said there were “lots of proposals” on the table.

She said: “No decisions have been made so it would be wrong to speculate.”

She added: “It is, of course, only right that BBC staff have an opportunity to input ideas about shaping the BBC’s future.

“The sessions are designed to provoke discussion among staff about the way the BBC works, and any decisions coming out of the process would be subject to approval by the BBC Trust.”

BBC Oxford currently broadcasts 5 Live from 1am to 5am.

Figures released for the last quarter of 2010 showed BBC Oxford had 62,000 listeners, down 1.6 per cent on the previous year.

Last night, listeners rallied around their station.

Pensioners rights campaigner Bill Jupp, from Marston, Oxford, said that for some of Oxfordshire’s older population, the radio was the only friendly voice.

He added: “We are constantly being told that we can’t have this and that any more because there is no money left, but it is a nonsense.

“For people of a certain age who are on their own, this is vital.”

Independent film producer Jon Spira, who has made a film about Oxford’s music scene Anyone Can Play Guitar, said BBC Oxford produced important programmes, such as the popular Saturday evening local music show BBC Introducing.

He said: “The show has become an institution. Presenters Dave Gilliat and, formerly, Tim Bearder, have worked so hard to provide a path for bands like Stornoway to make it.

“It would be a massive shame if it went.”

The NUJ claimed some local BBC stations could close, with up to 700 jobs being lost nationwide.

General secretary Jeremy Dear said: “Local radio plays a crucial role in keeping local communities informed.

“These proposals would rip the heart out of local programming and effectively sound the death knell for local radio.

“The BBC’s plans would be a blow to quality journalism at the BBC and fly in the face of public commitments to localism and transparency.

“The BBC must step back from the brink and protect local radio services.”

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