BBC trials local TV news service

The local news service will be available through digital TV

The BBC is to trial a local television news service which would serve individual towns and cities.

The project will be piloted in the West Midlands from September.

Director general Mark Thompson said the scheme would go out on digital cable and satellite television, as well as broadband internet.

"They will be as local as our radio services, serving individual cities, conurbations and counties," Mr Thompson told guests at a CBI lunch.

Four of the areas chosen are Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Stoke and Staffordshire, Shropshire, Coventry and Warwickshire.

A further service will cover the area served by the BBC's WM radio station, which is based in Birmingham.

Information and community

The scheme will offer a rolling interactive service available to viewers who press the red button on their remote controls.

The same sequences will also be available on broadband. It is hoped mobile phones could also be included in the plans.

Mr Thompson said: "Our aim is to create a new model of local television, centred on news, information and community partnerships and we will work with public, private and voluntary sector partners to build and sustain the pilot service.

"We will also aim to use our viewers' own contributions in new ways, and one producer in each area will work exclusively on developing networks of local contributors and community correspondents."