ANGLIA TV's longest serving presenter is the latest victim of a cost-cutting programme.

ANGLIA TV's longest serving presenter is the latest victim of a cost-cutting programme.

Sports anchor Stuart Jarrold, who reported and presented sports news and features for nearly 30 years across East Anglia, will be made redundant early in the New Year.

ITV Anglia is shedding one third of its workforce - 35 out of 105 employees - as part of a national plan by ITV to save money.

Mr Jarrold said: “I have enjoyed a wonderful rapport over the years with viewers and the many sports people of all ages - amateur and professional - it has been my pleasure to interview.”

A former colleague said: “As the long established face of Anglia sport he is highly respected and warmly regarded by viewers who have come to regard him as something of a legend.

“People in East Anglia have literally grown up with his smiling face in their living room almost every night, and many viewers have known him for a lifetime. He brings a sparkle to the screen and such a high calibre top class broadcast professional will be hugely missed.”

ITV Anglia, which has run separate programmes for the east and west of the region for 18 years, will in early 2009 revert to one programme for the entire area.