KENT'S new BBC boss has vowed to win the television ratings war with its Meridian rival.

Leo Devine, head of regional and local programmes at BBC South East, Tunbridge Wells, has moved into the hot seat as the latest audience research shows a narrowing gap between the two local news broadcasters.

He is determined to bridge the five-point gap by making the region's output more professional and exploiting the troubles at Meridian.

As Meridian chiefs pursue their strategy of switching programme presentation from Kent to Hampshire, Mr Devine believes viewers will transfer their allegiance to a station that broadcasts exclusively from the county.

Meridian confirmed that it was setting up a news bureau in the Maidstone Studios.

But, in spite of opposition from its own staff and leading figures in the county, it seems determined to press ahead with plans to switch presentation from New Hythe, near Maidstone, to Whiteley in Hampshire.

Mr Devine said: "When I came here six months ago, we were 10 or 11 points behind Meridian. Now, we are just five points behind.

"People appreciate localness, they appreciate something coming from where they are and I don't think they are fooled by anything that's not living up to that standard."

He added: "The fact that we are local and we will be the only TV broadcaster with programmes made in Kent is very important. I don't take any pleasure in seeing Meridian take their caravan out of Kent."

Asked if he could overtake Meridian in the ratings, Mr Devine said: "I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be the competitive person I am if I didn't admit to that.

"But it's not just about ratings. I honestly believe in providing a local service and it's hard to do that if you're not doing it locally."

Mr Devine, who was previously doing a similar job for the BBC in the West Country, conceded that of all the Beeb's 11 regions, the South East was its only under-performer.

He has been brought in to transform the situation and make things harder for its commercial rival. Greg Dyke, the director-general who resigned after the Hutton inquiry, backed his appointment before his departure.

Mr Devine has also arrived after a difficult time at the studios in Tunbridge Wells.

Laurie Mayer, the veteran presenter of South East Today who walked out in 2002, accused his predecessor Laura Ellis of presiding over an alleged "climate of fear" in the newsroom. She and two senior editors also criticised by Mayer have since transferred to Birmingham.

But Mr Devine, a married father-of-two whose family is still living in Truro, said he had found an incredibly united group of people.

"The past is the past. My door is always open, I try to be as available as much as possible. I didn't find a climate of fear or a black mood. I found a very healthy atmosphere in the newsroom."