CLUB comedienne turned BBC broadcaster Sue Sweeney has announced she is quitting her popular North-East local radio request programme.

The mother-of-two, from Durham, said tomorrow's lunchtime show on BBC Radio Cleveland will be her last - five-and-a-half years after taking over the slot as a "temporary" stand-in.

She put the decision down to pressure of work as she plans to concentrate on her increasing role on air at neighbouring BBC Radio Newcastle, although she is also looking forward to her first Sunday lunch since 1997.

"It's something I've just decided and, even though I haven't really had chance to tell the listeners, word has obviously got out because I've been inundated with phone calls.

"I will feel like I'm leaving a part of me at Radio Cleveland. I've really enjoyed my time there and the rapport with the listeners and everything that has come with it, like panto appearances and the like.

"But the workload has really taken off at Newcastle. I'm thoroughly enjoying broadcasting, it's been a new ball-game for me."

Sue's programme, goes on air on Tuesdays, from 7pm to 10pm, broadcast from the BBC's Pink Palace studios, at Fenham, Newcastle.

Sue still keeps her hand in on the club scene, and has received her latest nomination for Northern Club Comic of the Year.