Fans of velvet-voiced DJ Ambrose Harcourt have been joined by politicians in their battle to keep his weekend Love Zone show on the airwaves.

Ambrose's honeyed tones will fall silent on March 30 after London-based station owners Capital refused to renew his contract at Southern FM.

The decision has caused fury among thousands of Dr Luurve's listeners and their campaign has reached the corridors of town halls and Parliament.

Listeners say they regard the 52-year-old Barry White of Worthing, whose programme is aired at 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as a personal friend.

Hundreds of people have had their aching hearts soothed thanks to his role as the county's smooth-talking agony uncle. Worthing Tory councillor Andrew Garrett has stepped in to co-ordinate a campaign to keep Ambrose on air.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton has also leant an ear to the concerns.

The DJ said he has been inundated with letters and emails from fans shocked by his departure.

He said: "I'm flattered by the campaign and the concerns people have expressed."

Like much of British broadcasting, Ambrose's latest drama is something of a repeat. Hundreds of fans bombarded the station with letters after he was last sacked in 1997.

He spent a short stint on Chichester-based Spirit FM before public demand saw him triumphantly reinstated at Southern FM.

Coun Garrett said: "I'm amazed Southern FM should even think of sacking their most high-profile DJ. The owners are not listening to what the people of Sussex want.

"Ambrose is a local celebrity who has done a tremendous amount for the community. It will lead to many people turning off Southern FM and their audience figures will drop even further. "

One listener, who has joined the campaign is Tracey Doherty of Peacehaven.

She said: "I was really shocked when I heard Ambrose was going to be taken off the air. I work in a burger bar at night and we all love to listen to him. Hopefully, we can persuade the people at Southern FM to change their minds."

A spokeswoman for Capital FM said: "Over the last years, Ambrose Harcourt's audience has been in decline.

"As a result of this, and regular feedback from listeners, we have made the decision to refresh this part of our programme schedule."

Councillor Garrett is asking people concerned at Ambrose's sacking to e-mail him on garretta@lineone.net or to text him on 0797 197 3063.