BBC Radio Cumbria is set to close its offices in Barrow and Kendal, due to ‘significant financial pressures’.

In a communication from BBC bosses, seen by The Mail, staff have been told that the BBC's Hartington Street base will close in 2021.

The BBC, which raked in £3.7bn from the licence fee in 2019, has also announced it will be closing its Kendal office by the end of this year.

Staff have already been made aware of the closures, and BBC chiefs say there will be no job losses as a result of the closures.

The main broadcast base in Carlisle will not be affected.

The BBC owns over 100 properties in England, with 11 of those located in London.

Alongside Barrow and Kendal, the BBC has chosen to close a number of its smallest offices.

The BBC says up to 20 of these smaller offices will close across the country.

The communication, from BBC England's head of north Rozina Breen, reads: "We are closing a number of our smallest offices across England.

"These support our wider operations and are often unstaffed.

"In line with our wider efficiency programme, the BBC continues to reduce the number of buildings we occupy.

"New technology and changing working habits means we no longer need some of our smallest offices.

"Shutting them will save money at a time when we face significant financial pressures.

"The BBC remains fully committed to the North East and Cumbria.

"As a result, audiences will not see a change to the programmes and services they receive.

"We’re exploring the potential for journalists to work out of local institutions, such as colleges and universities, ensuring we continue to have a presence in these areas.

“It is important that we take these difficult decisions in order to ensure we work efficiently and can invest in our programming and journalism.”

Radio Carlisle came on air for the first time on November 1973.

In 1982, the station changed its name as it expanded its coverage.