Giles Dilnot has been named as the new co-presenter of BBC South East Today.

The 31-year-old takes over from Laurie Mayer, who has left the programme after a row about the treatment of staff.

Mr Mayer said that after he took his grievances to the very top, namely the Director General Greg Dyke, he was summoned to see Laura Ellis, the output editor at Tunbridge Wells and was told the viewing figures for the programme he was presenting were "terrible" and he was to blame.

Mr Mayer told The Argus: "I have been sacked for telling the truth. I could not bear to see young journalists treated the way they have been.

"They are not renewing my contract and I am now on holiday, which I was going to take any way, until my contract runs out in four months time. They will not let me see their viewing figures.

"Of course, I would like the BBC to say, 'You were right. Come back and we will talk about the way staff are treated at Tunbridge Wells and so something about the management', but there again, pigs might fly.

"As far as I am concerned, I have been sacked for standing up for staff and I will not be presenting BBC South East again."

Mr Mayer's place alongside Beverley Turner on BBC South East Today is to be taken by Mr Dilnot.

Mr Dilnot, 31, joined the programme at its launch last year as a reporter and presenter. He has most recently been fronting the programme's late bulletins.

The well travelled journalist has worked in the Middle East and Africa but comes from Leeds in Kent.

Viewers may recognise his voice from his time at Southern Counties Radio.

He said: "I'm sure Bev and I are going to make a great team."

After university, Mr Dilnot, who was born in Kent, worked in local radio and eventually became drive-time presenter on BBC Southern Counties Radio.

He said: "It's a real privilege to co-present a programme which reflects the issues of the patch where I grew up.

"It's very exciting and I'm sure Bev and I are going to make a great team."

Rod Beards, editor of South East Today, said: "Giles has a lively style which has proved really popular with viewers, particularly at outside broadcasts.

"We think he is going to be a real asset to the programme."

A statement from the Tunbridge Wells newsroom said: "We do not recognise the circumstances related by Mr Mayer and completely refute the allegations made by him.

"We wish to add that no formal complaint to be dealt with under the BBC's grievance procedures has been made by any individual or collective group at BBC South East since it was set up.

"This is despite active encouragement to staff as it occurs across the BBC to air any problems or grievances they might have."