THE potential loss of medium wave services on BBC Hereford and Worcester has drawn a tide of criticism from fans of the area’s sports teams.

Listeners have been unable to receive the radio station’s MW service on 738kHz and 1584kHZ, which are often used to broadcast live reports of the city’s cricket, football and rugby teams matches, due to a cost-cutting trial which started on Monday and continues into next week.

Followers of Worcestershire County Cricket Club could be among the hardest hit, with the downtime to test how many people use the service coming during the sport’s close season, when the side will not be in action and off the airwaves.

Twitter user and WCCC life member, @Propster1, who now lives in Warrington, uses his iPad to tune into cricket commentaries but worries for their future if the service was withdrawn.

He said: “This is not good news at all as surely it threatens the commentaries’ existence?”

Lee Jackson branded it an “awful idea”. He uses the service to follow Worcester City FC when their away games are broadcast.

He said: “I often listen to coverage of Worcester City. (And now I) will no longer be able too, yet the licence fee stays the same. The FM signal strength isn’t very good in Pershore too.”

However, not all were disappointed by its potential loss, with Simon Eddison questioning the reception quality and saying he couldn’t “see it would have much impact.”

The corporation is carrying out the trial as part of its aim to save £700 million a year until 2016/17.

The BBC is exploring switching off MW services except where it is depended upon as an alternative to FM and DAB as a money saving option.

BBC Hereford and Worcester was chosen along with Radio Essex for the trial as they both had different levels of MW coverage and could test the spread of MW coverage in both rural and city locations.

The station’s FM and digital radio service will remain unaffected. The trial ends on Tuesday.