ITV'S Abingdon-based Central News South area is to be replaced by a new Thames Valley News region in a major nationwide shake-up of regional television.

Forty jobs at Abingdon and the Meridian studio in Newbury will go.

The studios in the Abingdon Business Park are to be retained to form the centrepiece of the new service, which starts in December and covers an area stretching from Winchester to Banbury and from Swindon to Bracknell.

In the Abingdon news gathering centre, which currently employs 40 staff, there will be up to 35 posts for editors, reporters, broadcast journalists, picture staff and technicians.

Central South managing director Ian Squires said: "We will be going through a consultation process with staff and unions about all jobs."

Asked about the future of the main anchorman for Central News, Wesley Smith 17 years at Abingdon and the longest-serving regional presenter Mr Squires would not be drawn. He said: "Wesley is well know and respected by viewers. We have a lot of talented people in our teams. It would be wrong of me to comment on individuals at this stage of the proceedings."

Mr Smith was not available for comment.

The shake-up is part of a nationwide review of boundaries.

Mr Squires said: "The old boundaries did not have much relevance for viewers who thought it a bit odd to have news stretching from Ross-on-Wye to Milton Keynes. We think the new Thames Valley news will be more relevant, broadcasting to a more coherent region."

Paul McCloughlin, of the National Union of Journalists, said the new proposals were a further setback for jobs and services and added: "ITV says it will lead to an improvement but that's laughable.

"The public deserves quality journalism in television, radio and newspapers but all these areas are coming under increasing threat."