LOCAL radio broadcaster Rachel Sloane has left BBC Radio Suffolk to develop her own company.Media training and publicity consultants Rachel Sloane Partnerships Ltd specialises in working with small businesses and charities.

LOCAL radio broadcaster Rachel Sloane has left BBC Radio Suffolk to develop her own company.

Media training and publicity consultants Rachel Sloane Partnerships Ltd specialises in working with small businesses and charities.

Ms Sloane, whose last regular programme on BBC Radio Suffolk was on the Easter weekend, previously worked for Radio Orwell and Saxon Radio. She has been a presenter and producer on BBC Radio Suffolk for 17 years, most recently working on the Weekend Breakfast shows.

“It will be strange, for the first time in 28 years, not to be planning a programme,” she said.

“But I have decided to reclaim my weekend social life and cancel the 4am alarm call.

“The work of Rachel Sloane Partnerships Ltd is growing all the time and I think it is time to concentrate on that now. Although I will miss the BBC Radio Suffolk team and all my listeners, I hope to still be called upon occasionally when the regular presenters go on holiday, or to help with special projects.”

Her firm, launched in January 2006, uses her skills in conference work, public speaking and voice-overs.

The team also includes her husband, Kevin, previously a press officer with Suffolk police. The company webmaster is her elder son Dan, and her daughter-in-law Elly works as a virtual assistant from her Berkshire office. The company also uses freelance media professionals and journalists when needed.