A SUFFOLK radio station is today upping the ante in its war to keep listeners tuned in.With a huge increase in the number of stations, websites and television shows offering people the chance to listen to their favourite music, Ipswich radio station SGR has implemented major changes to its programme line-up to halt a fall in listeners.

A SUFFOLK radio station is today upping the ante in its war to keep listeners tuned in.

With a huge increase in the number of stations, websites and television shows offering people the chance to listen to their favourite music, Ipswich radio station SGR has implemented major changes to its programme line-up to halt a fall in listeners.

People tuning in to the commercial station will have noticed that for three weeks there has been a change to the morning breakfast team and to the early evening Drivetime slot.

After two years on the air, the Frankie and Katie breakfast show - presented by Paul Franklyn and Katie Leigh - has been cut from the station's schedule and efforts to replace them are currently underway.

The schedule change has also seen SGR's programme controller Paul Morris return to the airwaves after a two and half year absence. He is currently presenting the breakfast slot - which is the most important show for any radio station.

The Evening Star can reveal that Mr Franklyn has decided to concentrate on his business as a personal trainer, which he already did while working at SGR and Katie has made a temporary move to the Drivetime show. She replaces Nick Morrell, who had already decided to make the move to another station.

SGR is currently recruiting for a new breakfast team and once the new presenters are in place Mr Morris will move to Drivetime.

He said: “As with any radio station, the key number of listeners comes through the breakfast show.

“Between 60 and 70 per cent of listeners come through breakfast.

“Doing a breakfast show is the top of the tree in radio, but it's also the most insecure place, ratings are everything.”

He said the station had received calls from people who wanted to know why the changes to the line-up had been made.

“We've said yes, there has been a change and we're working on bringing in a new breakfast show. We understand how important it is to our listeners and we want to get it right, which is why we're not rushing.”

What do you think about the changes? Will you miss Frankie and Katie? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk