Farron welcomes ITV local news trial

12.00.00am GMT Thu 26th Nov 2009

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed the news that the Tyne Tees and Border region has been selected as the pilot for a new, more local regional news service on ITV1.

Speaking following the announcement by the culture secretary today, Tim said: "Since the production of ITV's regional news for most of the South Lakes was moved to Gateshead many people have told me that they don't feel the news is as 'local' as before. The journalists all do a brilliant job, but cuts by ITV plc have left Lookaround as opt-out from a bigger regional programme.

"Today's news gives us the ability to test a new way of producing regional news for ITV1 which could bring back a much more local service similar to the Lookaround of old. The Government have some way to go to work out how to fund these new services if the pilot is successful - top slicing the BBC licence fee would just be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul as should be avoided at all costs - but today's news should be welcomed."