A RAMSBOTTOM man is spearheading a £600,000 investment in national radio in the north of England.

Ian Bent has put together a team of radio journalists, producers and editors at Manchester's Broadcasting House to boost Northern input on both BBC Radio 4 and BBC Five Live for an area from Stoke right across the country and up to the Scottish border.

Mr Bent will be overseeing the making of around 250 programmes a year, including specific Manchester input to Radio 4's high profile Woman's Hour, You and Yours and Front Row on the news side of things plus one-off documentaries and brand new drama.

Mr Bent said: "There has always been some input into national radio from the North, but this new unit recognises what has been done in the past and makes it possible to expand our coverage dramatically.

"We have always known that London-based journalist and programme makers would have a London-bias.

"Now, with a team drawn from across the North, from Manchester and Liverpool to Leeds and Newcastle and all points in between, there will be a fuller coverage of the important Northern stories from people who live here themselves."

At the launch of the new unit Radio Four Controller, Helen Boaden -- who has herself worked in both Leeds and Manchester in the past -- said: "In news terms we accept that for instance, we were late with the stories about the Oldham, Burnley and Bradford riots.

"As far as drama goes Radio Four in the past discovered and gave first airings to playwrights Alan Ayckbourn, Alan Plater and Willie Russell.

"I confidently expect the new unit to discover more great Northern talent."