BBC Radio Devon is axing the shows of four long-standing and popular presenters in a major shake up of its schedule, it confirmed last night.

Shows fronted by Douglas Mounce, Ian Brass, Richard Green and Alec Benford will all disappear in the New Year.

One member of BBC staff described the decision as like "the night of the long knives" and warned it would upset thousands of loyal listeners.

No announcement on what will replace their shows has been made by the BBC which said a review of listening figures "has led to the conclusion that some changes to the afternoons and weekly programmes are necessary".

The changes come after Sunday afternoon radio presenter Graham Danton was sacked by the BBC, after more than 20 years, in March of this year.

A BBC insider said the station had been losing listeners to local stations Heart FM, Exeter FM as well as BBC Radio Four. But he said managers had reacted by trying to "drag the station down to target the under 35s".

"Morale has gone through the floor," he said.

"People feel as though they have been kicked in the teeth but they are scared to say anything because they are worried about their jobs."

Douglas Mounce, who hosts Showtime from 5-6pm and a regional late show from 10pm-1am on Sundays, is the only presenter who's been at the station since it started in 1983.

The insider said axing the programme would "upset many, many listeners".

"He's enormously popular, especially with older people, you just don't know how many people use him as a lifeline," he said. "So many people say that it is the one programme they wait for."

The presenters, who were yesterday unavailable for comment, could still be found other slots on Radio Devon although nothing has been confirmed.

Ian Brass, who returned to Radio Devon in 1999, fronts the Saturday afternoon programme from 2.30-5pm.

Former police sergeant Alec Benford, instantly recognisable as the voice of BBC Radio Devon's travel news bulletins, now presents "Big Al's Country" on Sundays from 6pm. Other popular presenters could also be under threat.

A spokesman for the BBC in the South West paid tribute to the presenters, adding that talks were ongoing about "potential future shows".

"Changing the schedule from time to time is part and parcel of running a radio station, we have to respond to the changing lifestyles and listening habits of the listeners," he said.

"A close review of BBC Radio Devon's listening figures over a period of months has led to the conclusion that some changes to the afternoons and weekly programmes are necessary.

"I can confirm that the weekly shows presented by Douglas Mounce, Ian Brass and Alec Benford will be replaced in the New Year.

"Doug, Ian and Alec are aware of these plans and have been thanked for their fantastic contributions to the station over the years and we are discussing with them potential future shows.

"Richard Green will change from daytimes to present a weekly '80s show. The new schedule will start in the New Year and a full announcement will be made then."

He stressed there were "definitely no plans to close either the BBC Exeter or BBC Plymouth studios".