Recent announcements of cuts to BBC local radio sent shockwaves through both sides of the House. MPs turned out in their droves to address what the loss of local radio would mean for their constituents.

I have a long and proud history of working in local radio. Having worked in the sector for twenty years, I have seen first-hand the importance of local journalism and its impact on communities, bringing to life the stories that matter to people in places like Warrington.

Imagine if the UK’s national press closed down tomorrow. The Express, Guardian, i, Mail, Mirror, Sun, Telegraph and Times – all gone! The lights would go out on democracy.

This may sound like an outlandish scenario, but something similar is happening in towns and cities up and down the United Kingdom. Local newspapers are closing or consolidating, and local journalists are losing their jobs. Even if the democratic lights are still on, the bulbs are weak, and the connections are dangerously loose.