Avid listeners have said goodbye to a loved local radio station after it finished its final day broadcasting.

Wave 105, based in Fareham, Hampshire, concluded its final day with its local identity on Thursday with a 'best of' montage, before it merged with Greatest Hits Radio.

Only presenters Rick Jackson and Mark Collins will remain part of the schedule when national programming takes over.

Wave 105 has been on air on the south coast, serving listeners across Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and parts of West Sussex and Wiltshire, for 26 years, with Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by Soft Cell played as the final song.

A petition was launched after the news was announced to close the station at the end of February, with almost 4,000 signatures gathered.

Scores of listeners reacted with sadness to the final day of the station.

Andy Simmonds said: "Good luck to all at Wave 105. This should never have been allowed to happen."

Russ added: "Man I'm going to miss Wave 105, especially Steve Power and everyone on his slot.

"My wife has just come in from the kitchen in floods of tears."

Chris Dodd said: "The end of an era. I wish you all the very best."

Meanwhile, Karen Henley said: "Wishing you all the very best for he future, will miss Wave 105 a lot, the music and the presentation is first class. If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

"Felt rather teary listening, you are all going to be very much missed," said Jo Vartan.

Replacing the familiar presenters will be radio royalty in the likes of Simon Mayo and Ken Bruce.

The new station will feature a medley of throwback tunes from iconic musicians of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Shows from well-known radio hosts like Martin Kemp, Kate Thornton, and Jenny Powell will also be broadcast.

Announcing the merger, media group Bauer said the station will seek to preserve its focus on community engagement, featuring local news and traffic updates.

Gary Stein, group programme director for the Hits Radio Portfolio said: "Wave 105 is a well-loved and recognised station identity within the South Coast and we want to build on its fantastic success and secure its future by transforming it into a nationally recognised brand, bolstered by a national marketing campaign to ensure it has even more opportunity to grow."