A LEADING union representative last night warned that radio services at BBC Oxford were not yet out of danger.

In an email to BBC staff on Monday, director-general Mark Thompson said the corporation “won’t be closing any local radio stations or television regions”.

He ruled out proposals to merge large portions of local radio with BBC Radio Five Live.

But Oxford and District NUJ branch secretary Anna Wagstaff said: “What is now likely to happen is that Radio Oxford and Berkshire will share certain programmes.

“They may have withdrawn the proposals with Radio Five Live, but these plans could still go ahead.”

The BBC needs to cut 20 per cent of its costs following the decision to freeze the TV licence fee for five years.

BBC spokesman Phil Austin said: “We are not going to get drawn into a running commentary – no decisions have been taken and, therefore, these reports remain speculation.”