A TELEVISION station that serves parts of Dorset could see its news show merged with one based in Bristol.

Broadcaster ITV has announced plans to cut its regional news bulletins from 17 to nine as part of a five-year plan to improve programming.

Among them will be the Plymouth-based Westcountry station which could see its show merged with ITV West.

The London, Granada and Wales regional services will be the only ones unaffected.

ITV Chairman Michael Grade said: "Inevitably there will have to be some redundancies but at this point in time I don't think it's helpful to throw numbers around."

The move has been criticised by the National Union of Journalists which said the plans would drastically reduce local news in the UK.' Meanwhile, the broadcasting union Bectu said the announcement would be another kick in the shins for ITV's regional news staff.' It is understood ITV is aiming to save between £35 million and £40 million a year to invest in programmes.

To implement the changes it must get permission from regulator Ofcom.