Two more leave RadioCentre

William Rogers, chief executive of UKRD and TLRC, told RadioCentre that, as of the end of October, the companies' membership would not be renewed. He said he believed the Government's planned switch-off of analogue radio in 2015 was "not going to happen" and was an "Alice in Wonderland approach".

Rogers added: "The present position [of RadioCentre] is dishonest. There is no security in some stations' futures. It is dishonest to say ‘Go out and buy a DAB radio' when there is no certainty people will be able to listen to their favourite station on it."

RadioCentre chief executive Andrew Harrison said in a statement: "We are all, naturally, disappointed by this news.  Commercial radio is a small sector and we are therefore stronger when we speak with one voice.

"RadioCentre will continue to work on behalf of all of its members, representing the broad range of views within our sector, to help secure a viable future for all stations in a digital Britain. It continues to represent the vast majority of commercial radio stations in the UK."