THE CAMPAIGN to keep BBC Oxford TV in the city is set to be championed by the leader of Oxfordshire’s Tory-controlled county council.

Acouncil report calls on its leader Keith Mitchellto spell out concerns to bosses including BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten, who is also the Chancellor of Oxford University.

Mr Mitchell is also urged to ask Oxfordshire’s six county MPs to join the fight, including Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron and culture minister and Wantage MP Ed Vaizey.

The report warns that Oxfordshire is facing the “dilution” of the local radio service as well as the end of the local television service.

This would “deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news service and local communities could lose their voice,” it claims.

The corporation last month said that the county could lose its dedicated news bulletin with the loss of 20 jobs and the closure of the Banbury Road offices.

Staff would instead work from Southampton.

The coalition Government last year announced that the licence fee would be frozen for six years.

Guy Swindle, council head of communications, wrote: “The cuts to BBC journalism are part of wider cost-savings across the BBC that stem from the freezing of the television licence.

“There are also suggestions that the BBC is looking at transferring some daytime broadcast time at all of its local radio stations to BBC Five Live.”

Anna Wagstaff, secretary of the Oxford and district branch of the National Union of Journalists, welcomed the backing of the county council.

She said: “In some ways it is ironic, being a Conservative controlled council.But I’m very glad that they are taking this stand.

“It would be surprising if they did not recognise that their whole relationship with the people they serve depends on having the means to tell thousands what is happening in their name.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We have made it clear that local, regional and national services will continue to be at the heart of what we do.

“We are not going to get drawn into a running commentary, no decisions have been taken and therefore, these claims remain speculation.

“Any decisions coming out of the process would be subject to approval by the BBC Trust.”