A COUNCILLOR has complained to Ofcom over proposals which could see Tyne-Tees and Border television newsrooms merge.

In a letter to the broadcasting regulator Durham county councillor John Shuttleworth said it had already allowed regional television programming output to be reduced.

He said planned changes would mean Tyne Tees covering a news area stretching from Dumfries, in southern Scotland, to Harrogate in North Yorkshire.

Last month ITV chairman Michael Grade announced plans to cut the number of regional bulletins it screens across the UK from 17 to nine.

Unions fear hundreds of jobs could be lost as a result of the move with the quality of regional television news suffering as a result.

The plans will see Tyne Tees and Border, which covers Cumbria and the Scottish Borders, effectively become one single entity.

In his letter County Coun Shuttleworth, who represents Weardale on Durham County Council, wrote: "Ofcom need to understand that...the North of England is different to any other part of the UK.

"Local issues, local news and indeed local programmes are a must. If ITV are allowed to reduce local news, it will disadvantage many who look to local television to keep them informed of both news and events."

He suggested that Tyne Tees and Border should be allowed to maintain a commitment to each region separately and given some form of assistance if necessary.

County Coun Shuttleworth, who is a former shareholder at Border, said: "This is about marginalising the minority. These changes don't appear to be happening in London or Manchester because they have the numbers of viewers.

"There is a public service broadcasting element here which the Government should make sure ITV adheres to.

"I feel it is a matter that everyone should rally round on to help."