A RADIO station is going local in the evenings by pulling the plug on regionally-networked programmes in favour of home based programmes.

The move is part of BBC Radio Cleveland's bid to capitalise on the station's improved performance over the past 12 months.

From July 5, it will broadcast an extra 19 hours of customised programmes a week to replace shows currently broadcast from other BBC radio stations.

Managing editor Andrew Glover said: "These changes will increase the number of hours of original programmes on a weeknight at this station from three to 22 hours. This will be giving listeners more of what they want from their BBC service in the region."

The changes follow the launch of new daytime programmes earlier this month.

BBC Radio Cleveland was awarded Gold in the Sony Radio Academy Awards for its coverage of the State visit of US President George Bush.