SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon has written to BBC's Radio 4 Controller asking for a change of heart on scrapping the Radio 4 UK Theme.

The UK theme, which is a medley of tunes from the British Isles arranged by Austrian-born refugee Fritz Spiegl, is used at 5.30 am each day to signal the switchover from the World Service to Radio 4. It includes Danny Boy, What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?, Scotland the Brave, Men of Harlech and Rule Britannia.

The proposal to get rid of the theme has received widespread criticism from, among others, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and former Home Secretary David Blunkett. Thousands of people have also signed an on-line petition in support of keeping the theme.

Mr Bacon said: "I listen to the theme regularly, on those days when I have to get up very early to travel to or from my constituency. It provides a gentle start to the day. When I hear the announcer say the words Radio 4 UK Theme, I declaim 'Hear, Hear' at my radio and know that the day has begun. This tune is the type of familiar landmark so intrinsic to successful radio. A 'pacy' news briefing cannot compete".

"I have written to Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer asking him to reinstate the Radio 4 UK Theme".

26 January 2006