A favourite radio presenter sacked from a popular breakfast show is moving to a rival station.

John Radford and three other presenters are being axed from BBC Southern Counties in a radical station overhaul.

Listeners protested at the changes which management said were necessary to give Southern Counties a harder edge and a more local focus.

Mr Radford, who presents the breakfast show, announced yesterday that he would be joining Worthing-based Splash FM.

Worthing resident Mr Radford will be on air every Sunday from 9am to 1pm from April 9.

The station was recently held up by communications watchdog Ofcom as an example of good practice to other local radio stations.

Roy Stannard, managing director of Splash, said: "This is a major coup for Splash FM. John Radford is an established broadcaster with a huge personal following.

"We are confident that many of John's loyal listeners will tune in to him on 107.7FM and continue to enjoy his unique style of broadcasting, now set in the context of the town where he lives."

Mr Radford said: "It's great to be working so close to home and heading the issues which are really important to people who live in Worthing."

Neil Pringle, managing editor of Southern Counties, is taking over Mr Radford's breakfast slot.