POPULAR radio presenters Dave 'Bradders' Bradley and Nathan Turvey are expected to lose their afternoon slots in a BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester shake-up.

There was public outcry in the form of petitions when Bradley, also a popular Worcester News columnist, was taken off his Sunday Morning programme this summer.

However, calls to return him to the weekend slot fell on deaf ears and the long-serving presenter is now believed to be losing his Afternoon Show as the corporation 'rearranges its schedules'.

The veteran presenter is understood to be moving to the station's sports desk - a possible conflict with his regular role as Worcester Rugby Club's stadium announcer.

Nathan Turvey is also believed to be losing his popular Drivetime programme.

However, there is no news on his future role at the BBC.

BBC Hereford and Worcester news editor Joe Baldwin refused to comment on the claims but a press officer in their Birmingham office admitted changes were on the way.

"We are looking at rearranging the schedules and we will make an announcement when we know more," she said.

She declined to comment on the future of specific presenters. In May this year, the station was celebrating after attracting an extra 10,000 listeners in the past three months.

However, two weeks later, 20 Hereford and Worcester employees - including Bradley and Turvey - planned to go on strike after news that two members of staff would be sacked as part of 4,000 jobs losses at the BBC.

Neither Dave Bradley nor Nathan Turvey was available for comment at the time of going to press.

Hallow shop owner Mike Baldwin, who started a Bring Back Bradders petition after he was taken off his Sunday Morning show, said: "A lot of people around here have stopped listening to the station.

"It almost sounds like they are trying to push Dave Bradley out the door."