TWO MPs from Kent are among those expressing concern about a proposed reduction in ITV local news coverage in the county.

Paul Clark (Lab, Gillingham) and Ann Widdecombe (Con, Maidstone and the Weald) have put their names to an Early Day Motion tabled by Norman Baker (Lib Dem, Lewes) to Parliament.

They are objecting to the cost-cutting proposals by ITV chairman Michael Grade. Under the plan, Meridian Tonight would become a pan-regional programme, covering news from Dorset to Dover, with just a 10-minute opt-out for Kent news.

The National Union of Journalists is fighting a move that could mean the loss of up to 30 jobs in Maidstone and the possible closure of ITV Meridian's newsroom in the Maidstone Studios.

MPs say that "this House notes with grave concern the plans put forward by ITV to reduce its number of regional newsrooms from 17 to nine" and "further notes with particular concern its proposal to merge the three current Meridian regional news programmes."

The MPs go on to say they believe this would lead to the loss of a dedicated service for Sussex and Kent and radically reduce the provision of local information to viewers in the South East.

They further claim such a merger would be "a neglect of public service broadcasting commitments by ITV and would presage the end of local output on the channel".

They are calling on the Government to press Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, to "refuse its approval for the merger".

Iain McBride, the NUJ representative for Meridian staff in Sussex and Kent said: "We are really grateful for the concern shown by Mr Baker and for his efforts on our behalf.

"MPs are aware that the coverage of issues they raise will be severely reduced in an area which goes from Southend to Weymouth, and up as far as Swindon"