Last updated 15:23, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Border’s Lookaround programme have claimed a victory after winning the backing of a government minister.

Lord Rooker, Minister for Farming, Food and Animal Welfare, was among 1,000 people to sign a petition against axing the nightly programme at the Cumberland Show.

The signatures add to the 13,000 petition cards already sent to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom opposing ITV’s plan to merge Border Television’s news operation with that of Tyne Tees.

Lookaround, the most-watched regional news programme in mainland Britain, would be killed-off if the move were approved.

But campaigners have speculated that the programme’s name could be retained for a nightly bulletin to be broadcast from Gateshead in an attempt to appease objectors.

ITV have yet to reveal any replacement’s name.

Journalists and technical staff from Carlisle-based Border were joined at the Cumberland Show on Saturday by members of the Please Don’t Axe Border Crack and Deekabout page on social networking website Facebook.

A spokesman for the Save Lookaround campaign said: “We heard many concerns from viewers who did not accept that a merged local news service from outside the existing region would have much relevance to them.”

The protest followed a meeting with Kate Stross, Ofcom’s director of content, in Penrith on Friday.

There, some of Cumbria’s most influential figures – including MPs and business leaders – highlighted their fears about Lookaround’s potential demise.

They are worried that the existing Border region would be marginalised – both in terms of staffing and news coverage – were the merger to go ahead.

A campaign spokesman said that although ITV’s nationwide revamp of its regional news services had been caused by economic necessity, Lookaround should be treated as a special case.He added: “It was felt by many at the meeting that while the current proposals are all about cost saving by ITV, the focus for change should be more about new exciting developments in making news and programming ever more local.”Protesters believe the digital television era could, in fact, lead to the creation of more channels covering specific parts of the Border region.

A final decision on Lookaround’s future is expected next year.