DORSET radio fans are fuming after a BBC decision to axe the only programme catering solely for listeners in the county.

The weekday Dorset Drive programme from 5-6pm focusing on Dorset news and events is being scrapped, as are live news bulletins for Dorset listeners, which will now be pre-recorded.

The BBC claims this will free up staff and save money and that a BBC website will eventually be set up for Dorset, but county listeners are furious that they will be left with a poorer service.

Dorchester mayor Tim Harries, who said: "Radio Solent has an office in Dorchester at Princes Street and we feel the county town has a right to decent coverage.

"Scrapping Dorset's programme and live news bulletins is very short-sighted and very stupid of the BBC.

"They will lose listeners and they will lose goodwill.

"We are the county town, with a lot going on, and that should be reflected in Radio Solent's coverage of Dorset.

"They cannot do justice to Dorchester by reducing coverage."

Weymouth and Portland mayor Lynne Herbert said Weymouth's events deserved proper coverage.

She added: "I am quite disappointed at the BBC's decision. When we have big events such as the carnival in Weymouth people out there in Dorset listen to Radio Solent and expect to get a live report.

"I would urge the BBC to think again. If they are withdrawn then people will not just lose a valued service but they may just stop listening to Solent and go for a different radio station providing them with a better local service."

Members of the National Union of Journalists at BBC Southampton say they fear that Dorset news will effectively be 'squeezed out' of the schedules as it fights to be heard in a 20-minute segment that also covers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

NUJ assistant broadcasting organiser Sue Harris said listeners in Dorset would be left with 'a poorer service and a dishonest one'. She added: "Unhappy listeners are being urged to lobby the BBC to scrap these changes and give them back the programme and news bulletins they pay for and deserve."

A spokesman for the BBC said: "Pre-recording the local radio news bulletins a few minutes before the hour means a more localised service for listeners with more stories relevant to Dorset being covered. Should a big story break, however, our digital technology allows us the immediate option to go live.

"That will be enhanced by a new website called Where I Live, planned for Dorset, which will provide community news, sport, travel, weather, entertainment and local events listings around the clock for thousands of people."