BBC Radio Oxford's breakfast presenter Sybil Ruscoe is quitting just six months after replacing Anne Diamond.

Ms Ruscoe, 45, has been a popular replacement for Ms Diamond - who lasted 18 months in the hot seat.

The former BBC Radio 1 and BBC Five Live presenter joined on a six-month contract in March and is leaving to pursue other career options.

Ms Ruscoe, who lives in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, told the Oxford Mail yesterday: "I'm sorry to be leaving because it has been one of the most enjoyable stints I have had on the radio.

"There has been a great response from the listeners and that's down to the whole team, not just me.

"But it's not goodbye - I will be coming back from time to time to fill in."

Ms Ruscoe will leave the show on November 17 to concentrate on writing - and plans to pen a novel.

She added: "Writing is my first love and it's nice to have more variety. Perhaps I'm a bit too old to be getting up at five in the morning every day."

BBC spokesman Mary Picken said: "Sybil intends to maintain contact with us and could still work for us as a freelance presenter.

"She is a talented presenter with a number of strings to her bow and wants to pursue other options."

Radio Oxford enthusiast Derek Honey, who lives in Witney, said he was shocked to hear of Ms Ruscoe's departure.

He said: "She's a very friendly presenter and has attracted 22,000 new listeners since Anne Diamond left, so the managers will have to be careful they don't lose listeners again.

"I think the station needs to think local - someone like Bill Rennells who has been around for years would be good."

Ms Diamond's chatty style of presenting alienated many listeners - but Ms Ruscoe's approach clawed them back.

In August, it emerged that the Summertown-based station had recaptured thousands of the listeners it lost last year.

Audience figures revealed the station had attracted an average of 100,000 every week over the three months to the end of June - bringing it close to the listenership of 20 months ago.

Steve Taschini, executive editor of BBC Oxford, said: "Sybil has been brilliant as the head of the breakfast team, which has led to continued great performance in audience figures over the past six months.

"She is highly regarded by our listeners and we are looking forward to a long association with her in a freelance role. Meanwhile, we are searching hard for a worthy replacement."

Job advert

Ms Ruscoe's job of breakfast presenter was advertised on journalism.co.uk on Monday, with an application closing date of November 8.

The advert says: "We need a knowledgeable, creative, talented broadcaster that can do everything - who doesn't?!

"Breakfast programming is the major battleground for audiences, so we are looking for someone with a personality that can make a difference in a competitive marketplace.

"You'll be able to handle news and current affairs as easily as feature material and music, and be able to weave all this together in a seamless way, involving the rest of the on-air breakfast team as you go.

"You'll need to know Oxfordshire like the back of your hand and you'll be able to connect with our audiences."

Candidates are asked to supply a three-minute aircheck demo and answer the following question: "In no more than 300 words, tell us what you think makes great breakfast radio."