FANS left angry at the unexplained disappearance of a well-known local radio station presenter from his programme are to hold a protest.

Russell Claydon

FANS left angry at the unexplained disappearance of a well-known local radio station presenter from his programme are to hold a protest.

Bob Strong, a popular DJ on Ipswich station Town 102 FM, has been absent from his mid-morning slot for more than one month now, but programme bosses at Tindle, which own the station, have not given listeners the reasons.

The continued silence has prompted a campaign to get the presenter back on air, with “Bring Back Bob” posters circulating.

The supporters behind it have also revealed they will stage a protest on The Cornhill in Ipswich on Sunday in their quest for answers.

Amanda, 33, from Felixstowe, who is organising the protest, said: “Bob is in a class of his own and has brought together so many people.

“The reason people are so outraged is that Tindle seem to be treating their listeners as no brainers.

“We want answers. We are standing up and saying 'listen to what your listeners want'.”

The holistic therapist, who did not wish to give her surname, added she had heard several differing explanations for his absence and was now boycotting the station.

Mr Strong, who joined Town 102 FM in its first year in the autumn of 2006, has built up a loyal following on his 10am to 3pm show where he hosts a phone-in alongside playing a mix of music.

Tindle did not wish to comment yesterday but David Rees, the programme producer at the station, previously told the EADT: “It is a private matter being dealt with between us both. When we are in a position to, we will say something.”

They could not say if the DJ will ever return to the show or what the reasons were surrounding his absence.

The lack of information surrounding the former BBC Radio Suffolk presenter's continued absence has left fans feeling frustrated and a group of more than 300 have signed up to vent their frustration on social networking site Facebook.