UK Music, The Association Of Independent Music, the BPI and the Musician's Union have all sent last minute pleas to the BBC Trust, asking for BBC 6music to be saved.

In a statement introducing a lengthy submission from UK Music, which includes a case study of the support 6music has given Moshi Moshi Records, and contributions from PR firm Anorak London and indie label Full Time Hobby Records, the trade body's head Feargal Sharkey says: "It is vital that as an industry our voice is heard clearly, prominently and with determination. If nothing else, the BBC needs to understand that its current proposals for 6 are misinformed, inappropriate and, as an industry, not an option we are prepared to explore".

Also contributing, in her role as an artist who released her first single through the aforementioned Moshi Moshi and who only received radio play on 6music at the start of her career, Florence 'And The Machine' Welch said: "6music gave me so much support at the start, and throughout my career, and I think the BBC would be failing to support young and upcoming talent if they were to take it off the air; no other radio station is as committed to playing new and alternative music, it would be a huge loss to the airwaves".

Echoing Florence's words, AIM's Alison Wenham said in her own organisation's submission: "It is right that the Association Of Independent Music - whose member companies are the finders and incubators of almost all new British music creators, performers and entrepreneurs - should stress the importance of 6music to independent music. 6music is a radio station which has quickly established itself as pivotal in this process of talent development. Readily available data clearly shows mainstream BBC music networks' content is dominated by the major multinational entertainment companies - which suits these networks' daytime audiences and competes with commercial music radio. Without 6music independent new music has no national radio station".

Communicating major as well as indie label support for 6, BPI boss man Geoff Taylor said: "6music is exactly the kind of programming the licence fee is there to support - distinctive, high quality broadcasting that the commercial market would not provide. This is a chance for the Trust to stand up for the rights of the listener, and save a national treasure.  Signing its death warrant would not only let down music fans, it would fail generations of British artists who do not get played otherwise".

The MU, meanwhile, broke its response down into twenty points of fairly balanced arguing, concluding: "[BBC management's proposals] contains a lot that the MU can support in terms of an overall strategy and vision for the BBC, but we are concerned that some of the cuts and reductions in current services seem to be aimed at appeasing the commercial and political forces that want to see a smaller and weaker BBC that does not fulfil its high ambitions. We would urge the BBC not to fall into the trap of offering unnecessary sacrifices in order to satisfy those who will always criticise the BBC".

The BBC Trust's public consultation on the Corporation's strategic review, which proposes the cutting of 6, that other incredibly important radio service the Asian Network, and a raft of other BBC services, closes today. You have until 5pm today to submit your views, which you can do here:

http://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/departments/bbc/bbc-strategy-review/consultation/consult_view

So, the BBC Trust's consultation on those proposals to shut BBC 6music, as well as a plethora of other services, ends tomorrow, making this your very very very last chance to protest.

As previously reported, former culture minister Ben Bradshaw said at a UK Music event earlier this year that he had been assured by the Trust's top man Michael Lyons that this was a genuine consultation and nothing in the Strategy Review written by BBC twonks was untouchable if the Trust believed management had got it wrong.

Much has been written since plans to shut 6 emerged as to why the BBC's only music-for-music's-sake service should be saved. As the Consultation deadline approaches, we summarise the argument in six sentences:

1. The UK has one of the most exciting, innovative and prolific music communities in the UK, contributing to ever expanding catalogues of great music across a plethora of genres; this cultural brilliance should to be represented by a truly eclectic media platform.

2. The commercial TV and radio networks represent only a tiny portion of this community, and do little to champion musical innovation, because the commercial sector struggles to monetise niche audience services, even when the niches together constitute a substantial number of people.

3. The BBC therefore has a duty to provide this truly eclectic media platform - and it does so through 6music - no other part of the BBC TV or radio network performs this task, despite the Corporation having an entire division with 'music' in its name (a division currently run by a fizzy drinks marketer).

4. The BBC Strategy Review is in part designed to placate the new Conservative government who are concerned about the Beeb unfairly competing with commercial rivals - but 6music competes with no one, and senior Tories have said they recognise 6 as an example of a great BBC service.

5. The Review is also in part designed to placate the commercial media moguls who accuse the BBC of using licence-fee funds to unfairly compete - but 6music does not compete with any commercial media, and shutting it won't placate any commercial player for even six seconds.

6. The BBC is committed to encouraging radio listeners to move to the DAB network; doing so requires providing compelling, innovative DAB-only programming - like 6music and The Asian Network - so the BBC's strategy review not only doesn't satisfy the aims of the Tories, or the commercial media barons, it doesn't even satisfy the aims of the BBC.

As the consultation deadline approaches, the Facebook group leading the campaign to rescue 6music staged a second demonstration outside the BBC's Broadcasting House on Saturday. Liz Kershaw, Cerys Matthews, Andrew Collins, Richard Herring, Shaun Keaveny, Matt Everitt, Lib Dem peer Tim Clement-Jones and comedian Ed Byrne were among those who spoke at the event, which - aided in part by the impromptu heatwave - saw an even bigger crowd of supporters gather than at the first rainy demo. After waving their fists in the general direction of BBC management, the always polite Save 6 protestors headed en masse to 229 for some quality music.

Speaking after the demo, one of its organisers, Georgina Rodgers, told CreativeBusiness: "We believe that our responses to the BBC Trust consultation, our complaints to the BBC, and our public protests have put forward a compelling counter-argument to [that of] BBC management. We have provided hard evidence that, rather than being a station that can be sidelined, 6music is a shining example of the 'quality and distinctiveness' that the BBC is aspiring to with its Strategic Review. We are now hoping that the BBC Trust will make sure that the BBC listens to the voice of the public, which has spoken loudly and clearly".

If you haven't already, you can add your opinions to the debate at the BBC Trust website below. The Save 6 Facebook group also provides a bunch of email addresses we can all send our outrage to as the consultation deadline approaches, just so the Trust geezers' inboxes scream out "Save 6" this week.

BBC Trust consultation form

Facebook Group

The axe may be hanging very perilously over BBC 6music just at the moment, but it's not all bad news for 6 fans. George Lamb is quitting the station. And his decision to go was partly motivated by the digital station's uncertain future. So, if the Trust do now save 6, the period of potential doom won't have been totally wasted.

Lamb, of course, was probably the most controversial hire at 6music, his laddish zoo-style show on daytime mornings not going down well at all with the majority of the 6 faithful. Once his champion at the station, former BBC Radio 2/6 boss Lesley Douglas, was pushed out of the Corporation post-Sachsgate, Lamb was sidelined to the weekend breakfast show slot. His decision to quit, therefore, comes as no surprise.

He said in a statement yesterday: "This isn't a decision we've taken hastily. We've been reviewing our situation for some time and we've always looked for opportunities to maximise the show's potential. I leave 6music with fantastic memories, and will always look back at my three and a bit years with great joy. [Co-presenter Marc Hughes] and I have been overwhelmed by the support we've had from the 6music management and our incredible listeners from day one. I wish everyone at the station the best of luck in this transitional period and my support for the station will always remain".

A statement from the Beeb read: "6music would like to thank both George and Marc for their commitment to the network over the past three years. We will miss their banter, tunes and air horns and wish them well in their future endeavours".

Sarah Rodgers, chair of the British Academy Of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, used her opening speech at yesterday's Ivor Novello Awards to attack the BBC's proposed plan to close down 6music, Music Week reports.

Addressing the audience, though aiming her words directly at the BBC, she said: "The end of 6music is an act of cultural vandalism. [The BBC's role is to] enrich people's lives with programmes that inform, educate and entertain. That sounds to me like 6music. Your mission is to be the most creative organisation in the world. What more could be more creative than 6music?"

If you have not yet submitted your views on the BBC's current strategic review, including the closure of 6music and The Asian Network, you have until Tuesday. To do so, go here.

A senior BBC manager has left the Corporation following an investigation into how The Times got a leaked copy of the Beeb's big cut plans, which included the news 6music and The Asian Network would be axed.

The paper got a copy of the highly confidential and slightly secret document eleven days before it was due to be published. Once The Times ran with their story in February, the Beeb were forced to release their plans over a week early, and face a whole bunch of media backlash without their complete PR plan in place. BBC top man Mark Thompson was reportedly furious about the leak.

An internal investigation reportedly identified with BBC-er had passed a copy of the document to The Times. In a statement yesterday, the BBC said, simply: "An investigation has been satisfactorily concluded and an individual has now left the BBC".

Elsewhere, the record industry stepped up its campaigning against the proposals to close 6music yesterday by launching an artists endorsement filled website at www.thejoyof6.com.

Absolute Radio has settled its trademark dispute with Absolut vodka. Those with good memories will remember the vodka company objected to Virgin Radio being rebranded with the Absolute name in 2008, despite the difference in spelling and the fact they sell booze rather than radio shows.

The drinks company said they believed there could be confusion between their two brands, and also pointed to their music sponsorship activity and an Absolut branded music website as an area where the two firms had operations in common. Trademark infringement and passing off litigation followed.

But both companies confirmed an out of court settlement had been reached this morning. The terms of the deal aren't known, but Absolute Radio boss Clive Dickens said: "Absolute Radio is pleased with this settlement which will see us continue to build our music radio brand and advance our position as one of the leading commercial radio networks in a digital age".

Bauer Media has launched a new online radio player which will be used by all its radio stations, including Kiss, Magic, Kerrang! and local stations in the Big City Network. The radio firm says the new player will make it easier to access its programming online, that content will be available in a better quality, and that sell-through functionality will enable listeners to buy music that appears on its playlists.

Bauer's digital man Bruce Mitchell told reporters: "The new player is a great step forward for Bauer Media's radio brands online. It provides an easy to use interface and at the same time offers music purchase, right from within the player".

The commercial radio sector's online radio platforms, especially those offering listen again content on-demand, have generally lagged along way behind the BBC's iPlayer service, and the Beeb has made its expertise available in this domain for the creation of an industry wide UK Radioplayer which is due to launch later this year (though Radio Today report that launch will now be later than originally thought).

The Bauer player will compete with the UK Radioplayer, even though the radio group's stations will appear on the industry-wide platform.

6music is giving four c'lebs the opportunity to present one of its specialist shows, for reasons of which I am not sure. The Sun's gossip monkey Gordon Smart will fill in for Steve Lamacq on the station's 'Roundtable' music review programme; then Top Gear's James May will fill in on Bruce Dickinson's 'Friday Night Rock Show'; Ruth Watson, who does home refurb shows apparently, will take over Craig Charles' 'Funk & Soul Show'; and Matthew Wright will present the 'Freak Zone'.

6music editor Paul Rodgers says: "Celebrity takeovers are fairly commonplace in radio, but at 6music, we wanted to add a bit more of a challenge to the usual celebrity plus a bunch of songs format. We wanted to find people who were able to demonstrate their passion and knowledge about music on our specialist music shows. Quite a tall order but having seen the music our celebrity guests plan to play, I think listeners will be impressed".

Media regulator OfCom has confirmed that, following the passing of the Digital Economy Act last week, they will allow local radio groups to pool more of their programming resources between stations, but on the condition some savings are used to safeguard local news content.

As previously reported, a number of radio firms have said that operating very localised FM services is no longer commercially viable, and they have been pushing for a change to radio licensing rules to let them syndicate more programming across their networks of local stations, and to enable them to base more of their station's core operations in one location.

OfCom remains keen to ensure local radio stations fulfil their commitments to provide local news content, even though it's hard to make money from such stuff, but in return will let stations reduce the amount of other locally-made programming they have to air so that radio firms can make the cost savings they say they need to survive.

Under new regulations, stations will be able to apply to cut the minimum amount of locally-made programmes that must be aired each day from ten hours to seven. The regulator will also loosen rules that restrict the co-location of stations owned by one firm in one place, meaning that while programmes that fulfil the 'local' quota will only broadcast in one locality, they might not actually be broadcast from that area.

Commercial radio trade body RadioCentre, which has been pushing for such changes, "cautiously welcomed" OfCom's announcement yesterday, but called for more rule changes. Their boss Andrew Harrison told reporters: "These proposals from the regulator do little to change the current operating costs and regulatory burdens on most small stations. In particular, the areas proposed for co-location and programme sharing are so narrowly defined as to make no practical operational difference for many [smaller] stations".

Some argue that by reducing the localness of local radio, and relying more on syndicated music programmes, the commercial radio firms are further watering down the main USP of their services, which will make it harder for them to compete once internet-based radio and music services go mainstream, and especially when said services reach the car. So if said radio firms push for further changes to localisation rules to fix short term problems, they'll lose out even more in the long term.

Record label trade body the BPI yesterday issued a statement formally calling for the BBC to save digital music station 6music, which, of course, Corporation bosses want to close next year. The statement follows the previously reported industry delegation who rocked up at the BBC Trust earlier this week to try and persuade bosses there to block the Beeb's proposed radio cutbacks. 

In the industry delegation was Sony Music's Paul Curran, Universal's David Joseph, Warner's Jeremy Marsh, EMI's Andria Vidler and Infectious Music's Korda Marshall plus reps from trade bodies the BPI, UK Music, the Association of Independent Music and the Music Managers' Forum.

Yesterday's statement outlined the argument the music industry bods presented earlier this week. They argued that 6 provided a music service that could not be replicated in the commercial sector, and therefore the station is an excellent example of the BBC's public service mission in action. That the station plays an important role in the country's cultural life, by showcasing new and alterative artists. That 6 should be thought of as contemporary music version of Radio 3, rather than an alternative to Radios 1 and 2, and its audience size should be viewed in that context. And that putting the bigger 6 shows on Radios 1 and 2 would just see alternative music saddled with graveyard slots.

They also used the opportunity to complain again about the lack of a weekly music show on prime-time BBC TV since the demise of 'Top Of The Pops'.

Confirming the industry's support for 6, BPI chair Tony Wadsworth told CMU: "We cannot see the sense in pulling the plug on a successful outlet for artists, both new and established, that are not being played on either Radio 1 or 2. 6 Music has significant cultural worth and public value that you can't measure by audience numbers alone, and it provides programming that commercial radio does not".

The BBC's 6music has announced it is axing its weekly music news magazine programme The Music Week, which was hosted by the station's news editor Julie Cullen and her colleague Matt Everitt. However, plans are afoot to expand the amount of music news that appears on the station during daytime instead.

Cullen told Music Week (the trade mag, not her own show): "Myself, Matt Everitt and the team are expanding music news coverage to appear across daytime programming and keeping features, updates, tour dates, industry news and big interviews as always. We're also hoping to include more international news, tour diaries and features on brand new bands, so please don't hesitate to get in contact with all your usual press releases, interview opportunities and anything else that you think might be of interest to 6music and Radio 2 listeners".

Some wondered if the axing of The Music Week was a sign 6 was moving away from bespoke news content, perhaps in preparation for plans to wind the station down next year. But Cullen seems to be saying that, for the time being, it's "business as usual".

Talking of 6music and the Save 6 campaign, as UK music industry chiefs met with the BBC Trust to air their concerns about the 6 closure plans yesterday, the Beeb's head of Stuff And Shizzle Tim Davie denied those resurgent rumours that the Corporation may as yet u-turn on their decision to axe the station but rebrand it as Radio 2 Extra.

As previously reported, those claims resurfaced in a Sunday Times report last weekend, and basically say that BBC bosses are considering saving 6 but renaming it 2 Extra, so that it fits in with plans to only have five national radio brands.

But writing on the About The BBC blog, Davie said: "Firstly, let me make it clear that, while we have proposed rebranding Radio 7 as Radio 4 Extra, there are no such plans for 6music. But I should also explain that the proposals made in the Strategy Review are the first part of a process. The BBC Trust are currently consulting the public on those proposals and nothing will happen until after the consultation is closed".

He continued: "I [have previously] outlined the rationale for the closure of 6music and said that we will reinvest any funds from the proposed closure of 6music in digital radio content. This commitment to digital radio remains and we are looking at a number of ways of doing this. I said we would look at protecting some 6music programming by redeploying it elsewhere and considering how we can also do justice to its legacy in areas like new music development. This commitment also remains. But simply rebranding 6music as Radio 2 Extra is not one of our plans".

OfCom has published its latest report on recent complaints submitted to the regulator by radio listeners, which always makes for fun reading.

This report deals with Steve Penk's previously reported decision to play Van Halen's 'Jump' when the main story of the day in the Manchester area where his station Revolution broadcasts was that local roads had come to a standstill because a woman was threatening to jump off a bridge onto a motorway. The report reveals that before playing 'Jump' at the suggestion of a listener, Penk joked that they should put a trampoline on the M60 for the suicidal woman to jump on, and then film it for 'You've Been Framed'.

The media regulator received 57 complaints about Penk's various comments. A spokesman for Revolution, which Penk owns, told OfCom: "Steve's intent was to 'subliminally' demonstrate to [the listeners] and [their] fellow sufferers that he had empathy with their predicament without causing widespread upset amongst the wider audience".

But the regulator said that while the topic of suicide is not off limits as a "subject for comedy", it thought Penk's comments and decision to play 'Jump' broke broadcasting rules. It said: "While some listeners may have been frustrated to be caught in traffic (and contacted the station) most would have been aware that, in real time as the programme was being aired, there was a woman considering suicide. Under such circumstances, and given this context, Ofcom does not consider that the broadcaster applied generally accepted standards".

This OfCom report also deals with the previously reported appearance of Rage Against The Machine on the BBC 5live breakfast show in the days running up to the Christmas number one battle. After a rather civil interview, the band performed their song 'Killing In The Name' live, including the fuck-filled bit at the end, despite giving assurances to producers they'd self-edit that bit.

Although people did complain about the four fucks that got through before the band, who were playing down the line from the US, were faded out, OfCom said that while the BBC should have been more careful, they were going to let them off, partly because they had received assurances from the band and their management, partly because they did issue two on air apologies immediately, and partly because the whole scenario led to one of Radio 5's most classic quotes when co-presenter Shelagh Fogarty said: "Get rid of it! Sorry. We needed to get rid of that because that suddenly turned in to something we were not expecting. Well, we were expecting it and asked them not to do it and they did it anyway - so buy Joe's record".

Gordon Brown has lent his support to BBC 6music and said that Jarvis Cocker, who presents a show on the station, is his favourite DJ. While, as with most politicians pulled into this debate, he stressed it wasn't his job to tell the BBC what to do, he did manage a bit of electioneering by pointing out that many reckon 6music is being cut in a bid to placate a future Rupert Murdoch-supported Tory government, who are likely to want the Corporation streamlined. His basic implication - the end of 6 is David Cameron's fault.

Asked if he supported the Save 6 campaign, Brown told The Press Association: "Yes because it's the next stage you worry about. The Conservatives have said that they'll hive off Radio 1. A lot of things that the BBC does are incredibly creative and quite risky - and this is a necessary means of us being a creative society. I want to safeguard the independence of the BBC and I think the licence fee is the means by which you do it".

He continued: "The licence fee is essential to the BBC. Any proposal to massively cut the fee or to strip the BBC of its independence - or alternatively, to remove its ability to make certain programmes - is a huge mistake. I don't think politicians should make that decision about what the BBC produces. I think the BBC should make that decision. I also think, personally, that the BBC should not have succumbed to pressure to cut certain things - but they have".

He was also asked, as part of a series of pointless either/or questions, to pick his favourite DJ out of Radio 1's Chris Moyles, Radio 2's Chris Evans and Jeremy Vine and 6music's Jarvis Cocker, to which he replied: "Definitely 6music. Definitely". Which is a shame, because up until that point he'd seemed quite sincere.

In a further dig at Rupert Murdoch-led changes in the media, Brown also said that he didn't think paywalls on newspaper websites, like that being introduced by Murdoch's Times, would work, saying: "People have got used to getting content without having to pay. I don't think you are going to be able to put things behind paywalls in the way that people think". Of course that is the same argument for forcing record labels to licence anything-goes P2P networks instead of supporting three-strikes style systems for stopping the free exchange of content only. Though Brown didn't talk so much about copyright owners having to get used to the public wanting their content for free in last week's Digital Economy Bill debate, did he?

In other 6music news, The Times last weekend reported on rumours that 6 might be saved, but will be rebranded as Radio 2 Extra to fit in with the BBC's new 'only five national radio brands' system, in the same way Radio 7 will become Radio 4 Extra. Radio 2 Extra would likely only broadcast 12 hours a day, instead of the current 24. These are not new rumours, though are being more discussed this week because of the Times report. 6 fans don't like the proposals, partly because of the cut in programming, partly because they don't want to be labelled Radio 2 listeners, even though internally at the Beeb 6 is already a sister station of 2.

As far as we know, BBC management are still set on cutting 6 completely, though they might be preparing options for if the BBC Trust block the radio station cuts in their review of the current cut-back proposals. But a BBC spokesman said yesterday: "We would like to clarify that there are currently no proposals for BBC Radio beyond those outlined in the Strategy Review".

BBC Radio 3 is this week launching two new slots in its daytime programming where it will showcase the Official Charts Company's classical music chart.

On Monday afternoons the top five classical albums of the week will be revealed and a track will be played from the best seller. Meanwhile, thirty minutes of the Tuesday morning breakfast show will then be dedicated to discussing the full chart.

It's only a matter of time until the classical channel signs up Reggie Yates.

Possibly aware that since announcing he was leaving the BBC those tabloid journalists who have always despised him have had less to rant about, Jonathan Ross has given an interview to The Guardian seemingly designed to get those tabloid hacks all angry all over again.

In the interview, he made light of the Sachsgate scandal, despite originally claiming to be sincerely sorry for leaving lewd messages on Andrew Sachs' answer phone when he was suspended over the whole thing back in 2008. He told the broadsheet: "In a way, the whole experience has been quite fun. Because it's been really odd. And interesting. And fun. Life can sometimes potter along in the same direction and then something comes along over which you have no control".

He continued: "It was literally within about four days of it all kicking off that I just thought: 'You know what, there's no way I can control this, there's no way I can change this. So I've just got to not let it bother me'. And then it became almost like I was watching it happen to somebody else. And it was quite entertaining. It was weird watching people get themselves into a lather over something so intrinsically unimportant as that. It was just silly. Silly people writing silly things".

With Ross promising to one day give a full account of the Sachsgate scandal in all its "hilarious" detail, the tabloids obviously ran to Sachs to get his comment on Ross's latest remarks. He told The People: "My wife and I shared an empty laugh about it. It's a strange thing to say. It makes me wonder what the world is coming to. Yet it takes a lot more than that to upset me".

Ross also took time in the interview to diss the BBC, though given it's widely assumed it was they who let him go rather than the other way round once the controversial presenter's multi-million contract was up for renewal, that's probably not a surprise.

Ross told the Guardian: "I can't begin to tell you the relief I feel. I don't want to speak ill of people at the BBC because I've loved working there, and I still love working with them. But at the same time, oh man, I can't wait to get out. I think it's a shame that the people running it are always trying to second-guess what the newspapers will say about them - and whatever the next government we wind up with will say about them. The experience of being there isn't quite the place it was. And it's a terrible, terrible shame".

The Digital Economy Act became law yesterday following a speedy few days in parliament where weeks of work was squeezed into just three days to ensure the Bill got through before the General Election. Although more attention has been given to the copyright sections of the Act, it also says some pretty important stuff about digital radio. So, needless to say, key players in the digital radio sector were pleased the Act had become law.

The boss of the body charged with the task of turning us all on the Digital Audio Broadcasting, Digital Radio UK's Ford Ennals, told reporters: "We welcome the clear policy direction and legislative framework that is now in place giving us a foundation upon which to build a secure and prosperous future for radio and significant benefits for listeners. The switch to digital radio will also deliver opportunities for growth and greater competition within the industry as more commercial stations gain the ability to transmit nationally, and community and small local radio stations gain greater access to FM".

Meanwhile The Guardian had a quote from one of the BBC execs spearheading the growth of digital radio, Mark Friend, who said: "Passing the Digital Economy Act into law is an important milestone in securing radio's place in a multi-platform digital world. It sets the stage for broadcasters and manufacturers to deliver the benefits of digital to UK radio listeners, including increased choice, quality and functionality".

Not everyone in radio is so happy though. The Telegraph this morning reported about a consotium of 14 smaller radio stations who say the Digital Economy Act’s ambitious aim to shut down much of the FM network by 2015 will have a detrimental effect on them, and that their "ability to operate in the future is directly challenged by the digital radio switchover proposals".

Radio 1 will mark its 500th Essential Mix later this month with a special live broadcast. Who the 500th DJ to fill the two-hour slot will be is a secret, and his or her identity will only be revealed on the night. Candidates for the honour were nominated by former Essential Mix DJs, including Carl Cox, Paul Van Dyk and Tiësto, while the final mixer was chosen by a panel of dance music industry experts including Pete Tong, Annie Mac, Judge Jules, Cream's James Barton, Mixmag's Ralph Moore and Resident Advisor's Nick Sabine.

Pete Tong, who provided the first ever Essential Mix and has hosted the show since it began, told CMU: "Bringing the Essential Mix to the nation on Radio 1 has always and continues to excite me. It's always been a platform to showcase the best DJ talent and new music from around the world, whether it be legends of dance music or future stars. The thing that excites me most is introducing new genres and breaking artists to a wider audience. There have been 500 fantastic essential mixes - here's to another 500!"

Radio 1's Deputy Controller, Ben Cooper added: "The list of contributors to the Essential Mix reads like a who's who of dance music and underlines the programme's significant part in popularising the genre. The list also highlights the show's unique ability to inform listeners every week of dance music's many musical shifts and trends from 1993 to the present day".

The 500th Essential Mix will be broadcast live from the Circus nightclub in Liverpool on 24 Apr from 1am to 3am, followed by live sets from Sasha and Richie Hawtin. The identity of the landmark mixer will be revealed on Pete Tong's show on 23 Apr between 9pm and 11pm.

More radio closures. Huddersfield-based radio station Pennine FM has gone off air. The local station, which began life as Huddersfield FM just over a decade ago, had three different owners in its last two years in business, all of whom struggled to make the station commercially viable.

Current owners Urban Media Group only took over last September. The Programme Controller they hired, Jonathan Gold, presented the final show on Monday night during which, according to Radio Today, he announced the station was to close. The licence to operate a station in the town has been handed back to OfCom, while the transmitter broadcasting the station has already been turned off.

Elsewhere, the Worcestershire outpost of Sunshine Radio, once part of the Laser Broadcasting Group's network of stations, has also closed down, according to Radio Today. But its sister stations in Ludlow and Hertfordshire remain on air.

A delegation of music industry types is due to meet with BBC Trust chief Michael Lyons next week to bug him rotten about the Corporation's plans to shut down digital music station 6music.

According to Music Week, BPI chiefs Geoff Taylor and Tony Wadsworth, Sony Music COO Paul Curran, Universal Music CEO David Joseph, EMI Music President Andria Vidler, Warner Bros Vice-Chairman Jeremy Marsh, Beggars Group Chairman Martin Mills and UK Music CEO Feargal Sharkey will all attend the meeting. Boy, can you imagine how tedious this meeting is going to be? No, only joking, go for it guys, the future is in your hands. For a change.

As previously reported, the BBC Trust must approve all of the Beeb management's cost cutting proposals, including plans to axe BBC 6 and the Asian Network. They are undertaking a consultation on the cuts which will run until late May.

As also previously reported, Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw last week said Lyons had assured him that "this is a genuine consultation, nothing is a foregone conclusion, and the Trust will really listen to what licence fee payers tell them. So I urge you all to respond to that consultation".