A RADIO station manager is leaving the region after seven years at the helm of a local BBC station.

David Peel, who left Radio Cleveland temporarily in the summer to work on a project with the BBC's regional controller, has now been appointed editor of BBC Radio Suffolk.

Mr Peel's time in charge of the station has seen highs and lows, with several awards being won for its output.

They include a Sony award for £75,000 raised within one year of an appeal being launched to buy a new Hartlepool lifeboat.

However, earlier this year, his decision to drop a Sunday evening programme aimed at Asian listeners led to protests, and a pay-out to the producer on the eve of a tribunal hearing into claims of racial discrimination.

Mr Peel, who has been editor of BBC Radio Cleveland for seven of his 13 years at the station, said: "I'm proud of what we have achieved at Radio Cleveland and sad that I will be leaving behind such a great team of people.

"However, after seven years at the helm I'm ready for a new challenge."

Olwyn Hocking, head of regional and local programmes for BBC North-East and Cumbria, said: "David has led a committed team, which has played a very active community role. Their many initiatives have been deservedly honoured."