The BBC confirmed the proposed closure of alternative station 6Music, alongside the Asian network this week following widespread speculation, sparking a huge public backlash from listeners across the UK.

The changes are part of an overall strategy review initiated by senior BBC management. Addressing staff, Director General Mark Thompson explained that the drastic measures also include shutting down approximately 50 per cent of BBC websites by 2013, cutting budgets on overseas TV programming and potentially selling off some BBC magazine titles.

Thompson elaborated that the cuts would facilitate spending 90% of the license fee on new content creation and high quality distribution of services.

Launched in 2002, digital station 6Music is widely considered to be a vital showcase for alternative genres of music through presenters such as Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson, Jarvis Cocker and former Kenickie singer Lauren Laverne.

Tom Robinson has recently demonstrated a great deal of support for artists based in the North East by participating in Generator’s ‘North East Beat Unsigned’ event at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle and subsequently playing many of the bands involved on his ‘BBC Introducing’ show.

In February this year, 6Music were reportedly showing growth, with an audience of 695,000 listeners. However, in the final quarter of 2009 the 'reach' of the station, defined as proportion of the adult population who listen for at least 5 minutes in an average week was only 1%.

Speculation regarding the decision caused fans to publicly criticise the BBC and inevitably resulted in the creation of a ‘Save 6Music’ Facebook group alongside thousands of bands and musicians adding Save 6Music ‘Twibbons’ to their profiles.

BBC presenter and journalist Charlie Brooker was disappointed by the closures, summing up the feelings of many by posting on his Twitter account: "I was going to buy a digital radio next week. If they get rid of BBC 6Music I might as well not bother."

The BBC Trust will now consider the proposals outlined. The Chairman of the trust, Sir Michael Lyons commented on the public reaction saying in a statement: "If we find that... there's massive public concern that we need to take account of then we will go back to the director general to rethink the strategy before it's approved," he said.

To show your support for the campaign to save 6Music and the Asian network, email the trust with your thoughts to trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk.