By CAROLYN CHURCHILL A COMMERCIAL radio station was heavily criticised yesterday after it emerged that it had sacked six Scottish DJs and increased its use of celebrity presenters' programmes broadcast from London.

POP veteran David Essex yesterday flicked the switch to turn on the latest radio to hit the North-East airwaves. Smooth Radio will play easy-listening tracks from five decades. Yesterday the station celebrated its first day on air with 1970s star Essex.

POP veteran David Essex today officially launched the North East's new radio station, Smooth.

By Kate Bowman THE group behind the NorthEast's b

The managing director of Smooth Radio in the Midlands, is to leave the business at the end of this month. Phil Dixon's role, which involved responsibility for both of Smooth's radio stations in the region, is to be made redundant and will be replaced by two new posts.