Radio station Southern FM has axed Richard Reynolds, one of its top presenters for the past six years.

Mr Reynolds, 37, is the husband of fellow DJ Nicky Keig-Shevlin, who co-hosts the early morning Danny and Nicky show.

He is the third high-profile name to leave the Portslade-based radio station in the past seven months.

Ambrose Harcourt, known as Dr Luurve, left in March after his Love Zone show was axed.

Simon Barker-Davies, known as Moody, suddenly left in July, shortly after the annual Party in the Park concert, organised by the station in Preston Park, Brighton.

The departures come as the most listened-to radio station in Sussex, owned by London-based Capital Radio, faces competition for a younger audience from newer radio stations such as Worthing's Splash FM and Brighton's Juice FM.

Mr Reynolds has presented the main morning show each weekday between 10am and 1pm.

A statement from the radio station, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, said: "Southern FM will not be renewing Richard Reynolds's contract.

"This is part of a station re-fresh which aims to entertain and reconnect with our core target listeners aged 25-34.

"Changes are made in radio every day. It's how radio evolves, improves and moves forward.

"Mr Reynolds has been a valued member of the team for over six years and we wish him well in the future.

"There is currently no confirmed leaving date."

Mr Reynolds is on holiday with his wife. The couple, who live in Hove, married in September 1998 after Mr Reynolds had joined the station the previous October.

Colleagues said he was shocked when told his contract was not being renewed and it was not known if he would return to the station's airwaves after his break.

Mr Reynolds was one of the main core of DJs who established Southern FM's fan base.

A spokeswoman for the station said there was "no question" over his wife's contract and she would definitely continue to present the early morning show with Danny Pike.