Woman's mission to save BBC Radio Norfolk's Nick Risby show

Jane Harper, from Brooke near Norwich, who has been listening to Nick Risby at Night between 10pm and 1am for years, said she was "shocked and horrified" when the national broadcaster announced it would no longer run local programming after 2pm on weekdays.

She said the show's cancellation would cause "concern for people's mental wellbeing" as for many elderly people it was "their family".

The BBC has said it is "committed to bringing audiences their favourite local output" and will confirm "future schedules in due course". 

Ms Harper is currently leading a group of the show's fans who are trying to stop the BBC axing it and other localised programming.

"I'm absolutely shocked and horrified about what they are doing," she said. "It's sad for me as a listener but for elderly and isolated people it's going to leave them totally depressed, it'll be like losing their family.

"You wouldn't believe how sad people are about this, I can hear them crying as they message me.

"It's the late stuff they need to keep because that's when people are struggling the most.

"The BBC needs to have a good look at itself, I don't know how we stop it but I've been emailing them and have also contacted my MP who I haven't had a response from.

"This is the jewel in the BBC crown, they don't know what they're doing."

The Nick Risby at Night Facebook page, which acts as an online hub for members of the show, has been inundated with posts pleading for the programme to stay on the air.

One member, Linda Wade said: "I have been listening to you Nick since you started late nights while living in Cambridgeshire and now on BBC Sounds from East Staffordshire.

"Cannot imagine my nights without you, really gutted."

Another, Anne Taylor added: "I'm really cross we could lose your show Nick.

"I love your humour and compassion, the camaraderie among your team and listeners.

"The format of your show is perfect for that timeslot, we don't want topical debates or sport at that hour - we have enough of that during the day."

It comes after an email sent to a fan of the station's Treasure Quest show appeared to confirm plans to axe local programming after 2pm would go ahead.

Like fans of Mr Risby's show, Treasure Quest listeners also attempted to save their favourite show, describing it as a "lifeline".

A BBC spokesman said: “We are committed to bringing audiences their favourite local output and we’ll continue to do so.

"We’ll confirm our programme plans for future schedules in due course.”

When approached for further comment following the email, the BBC said it had nothing more to add.