By 
Faye Hatcher has presented her final show on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
The presenter and journalist is leaving the BBC after 23 years at the corporation.
BBC Local Radio stations including Gloucestershire will see a large number of local programmes axed and replaced with regional and national programmes made outside of the county.
BBC Radio Gloucestershire will only have local programmes during the week between 6am and 2pm and a small number of hours at the weekend.
Faye has presented across the schedule for Radio Gloucestershire over the years including Daybreak, co-presenting with Mark Cummings and her popular Saturday Show as well as working at Radio 4.
In an emotional statement, Faye told listeners: “I’ve been thinking about leaving the BBC for sometime now and its been an incredibly difficult decision.”
“I’ve seen my colleagues having to decide whether to apply for their own jobs or take voluntary redundancy. I’ve seen the impact and its been devastating for my friends.”
“I’ve decided not to put myself through that process and instead take voluntary redundancy. For me this whole process has felt like a bereavement – sadness, upset, denial, self-doubt, depression and that’s been really hard.”
“I have always tried to be authentic and honest on the radio.”
“BBC Local Radio is changing into something I don’t recognise anymore. The changes to local programming I believe will be detrimental to you the listener.”
You can hear the full statement from Faye Hatcher here.
Yesterday, Mark Cummings presented his final breakfast show and mid-morning presenter Anna King will also depart the station next week.
GNC understands more local names are expected to announce they are leaving BBC Radio Gloucestershire in the coming weeks.
Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk
emily