A retired Rutland dog warden is urging the community to boycott Greatest Hits Radio.

Seventy-two-year-old Barry Briggs has launched the campaign following Rutland Radio's rebranding by owners Bauer Media as Greatest Hits Radio today (Tues).

Barry was Rutland County Council dog warden for 17 years, until 2016, and during that time received 'the utmost support' from both the radio station and Rob Persani - helping him reunite 'hundreds of dogs' with their worried owners.

The relationship remained when Barry stopped working for the local authority, but continued running the Lost and Found Pets in Rutland UK Facebook page.

He told Oakham Nub News: "I feel that Greatest Hits Radio has treated the community and the Rutland Radio team really badly.

"This is not the local radio that Rutland signed up to in 1999.

"We had a very real and genuine radio station.

"We knew the presenters and the presenters knew us.

"Real local people, with real local problems receiving help and support, appeals to help sick and elderly people, local events and charities gaining much-needed publicity, hour-by-hour hour extreme weather and school closure information.

"While I was dog warden I received the utmost support from the station.

"Rob Persani not only helped me during working hours, but during the whole 24 hours.

"On more than one occasion we had live updates on a stray dog's whereabouts.

"So many people have told me how Rutland Radio gave them a feeling of safety and wellbeing.

"The station has now been snatched from our hands and will be thrown to the powers of cash.

"In response I am asking people to use their knobs to turn off Greatest Hits Radio."

Barry is backing Rutland County Council's project to investigate the feasibility of establishing a community radio station.

"This could be just the answer and, of course, Rob Persani would be the man to present the station.

"Rutland is a unique county and needs a genuinely local radio station," he added.