12 November 2008
The BBC has insisted that its children's television operation will not suffer as a result of its move to Salford in Greater Manchester.
Campaigners had raised concerns that budget cuts would be imposed on children's programming following the move, due to the costs involved.
But Richard Deverell, controller of the operation, insisted there would be no negative impact on programme making.
He said the move to Salford - which is due to be completed in 2011 - represents "the best chance to reinvent ourselves for an internet age".
BBC Children's creates output for BBC One and BBC Two, as well as the digital TV channels CBBC and CBeebies and the department has an annual budget of £125 million.
Meanwhile, former Play School presenter Floella Benjamin has lashed out at the quality of children's programming on offer from broadcasters.
She said children were watching too many "cheap imports" and warned that the genre could become a "graveyard" unless more funding is allocated to it.