Journalists working across the southern region are carrying out a 24 hour strike as a dispute over cuts to local radio continues.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said its members at BBC Radio Solent, BBC South Today and the local pages of the BBC News Website have walked out on their fourth day of strikes so far and the third strike of this year.

More than 80 per cent of members of the National Union of Journalists across England backed the walkout, which began at 11am today and includes staff from BBC Radio Solent, BBC South Today and South news online.

Under current plans to change programming, BBC Radio Solent's weekday evening programmes will be shared with Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

At weekends, other than sport, all shows on BBC Radio Solent would be shared with at least Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Weekend evening programmes like Alex Dyke's disco inferno and Richard Latto's Stereo Underground will be replaced by national shows.

Three journalists at Radio Solent are also facing redundancy.

Local NUJ Rep Tom Hepworth, who works for South Today, said: "While we agree the BBC needs to increase the local news it does online, it should not come from cuts to the BBC Local budget.

“The BBC should be looking at providing a properly funded local news service, and ensuring that the Government provides a stable funding model to make this possible."

NUJ members across England have passed a vote of no confidence in the BBC Local Senior Leadership Team.

Some 93 per cent of those polled said they didn’t back the current managers, after months of frustration over proposed changes to programmes.

Paul Siegert, the NUJ’s Broadcasting Organiser, said : “Members have shared their disappointment over the treatment of colleagues who have had to reapply for their jobs.

"Results of the (no confidence) vote indicate the strength of many journalists, alongside frustrations about the BBC’s handling of the dispute, Members want to avoid strike action and remain doing the jobs they love.

“The NUJ is urging the BBC to reconsider its plans that will leave a lasting impact on local radio.”

Local MPs including South Dorset MP Richard Drax have written to the Director General Tim Davie calling on him to pause the process and properly consult license fee payers.

A BBC spokesperson previously said: "We understand this is a difficult period for change for many colleagues and we will continue to support everyone affected by the plans to strengthen our local online services across news and audio.

"Our goal is to deliver a local service across TV, radio and online that offers more value to more people in more local communities.

"While the plans do impact on individual roles, we are maintaining our overall investment in local services and expect our overall level of editorial staffing across England to remain unchanged."