BBC Radio Cornwall’s Laurence Reed will be stepping down after 32 years with the broadcaster.

The popular presenter of the weekday phone-in show will have his last day at the station on Friday, November 6.

The programme, which runs 2pm to 6pm, will be presented in the interim by James Dundon. Announcing his departure live on air this week, Laurence said: “There’s no easy way of saying this – but yes I am leaving the BBC in two weeks after 32 years.

“I started as a tea boy answering the phones, so I haven’t progressed that much actually!

“I don’t want people to feel sad because we’re handing on the baton to a really powerful team so the same kind of programme will continue. We will challenge those decision makers, we will hold people to account.

“I’ve had a difficult 12 months. I’m not going to use sepsis as an excuse but it makes you revaluate life - and it’s probably left me with a little less energy than before.

“Let’s enjoy the next two weeks – it’s business as usual until then and it’ll be business as usual after that.”

Laurence began answering the phones for the BBC in 1988 when he was working as a mobile disco DJ. He was taken on as a freelance reporter, getting paid £5 for every story he filed.

He went on to do an MA in broadcast journalism as Falmouth University before joining the station full-time and becoming the presenter of the phone-in show in 1995.

During his 32-year tenure with BBC Radio Cornwall, Laurence has interviewed celebrities, prime ministers and thousands of Cornish locals.

His monthly mental health phone-in recently won an award from the British Medical Journal.

Others choosing to leave the station include presenters Debbie McCrory and Donna Birrell, weatherman Kevin Thomas and producer and reporter Denis Nightingale.

Earlier this year the BBC announced an organisation-wide voluntary redundancy scheme to help it meet its stringent savings requirements.

An exciting new line-up will be announced for the station soon.

Stephanie Marshall, Head of the BBC in the West and South West, said: “Laurence is a talented presenter, diligent journalist and tireless champion of Cornwall, who has a unique ability to connect with listeners. He has chosen to step down from the phone-in show but will always be a friend of the station.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those leaving BBC Radio Cornwall – your work has been invaluable in helping to make the station the success it is.”