WIRE FM is to disappear from the airwaves and be replaced as Greatest Hits Radio.

The station for Warrington and Halton has been acquired along with others in Cheshire and Greater Manchester by Bauer Media.

And it will join the Hits Radio Brand Network from September – ending the station's Wire brand. The station ended its popular live Warrington Wolves commentary last year.

Jobs are affected and a period of consultation is under way.

The integration will mean that stations including Wire FM, Bolton-based Tower FM, Wigan's Wish FM and Signal 2 will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio.

Signal 1, covering South Cheshire and Stoke, will retain its local branding, while becoming part of the wider Hits Radio Network.

A spokesman said: "All stations will deliver the optimum mix of local content that listeners highly value alongside content from nationally known presenters. For advertisers, the move will provide significant scale whilst also retaining local advertising windows for clients.

"Where possible, stations who previously were only accessible via FM or AM radio will secure a multi-platform digital future, with access to DAB digital radio. This is a crucial move in a radio market which is seeing a significant shift towards consumption on digital platforms and allows extended coverage for audiences."

Dee Ford CBE, group managing director radio, Bauer Radio comments, “Audiences love and trust radio. Expanding the Hits Radio Brand Network will ensure listeners to these acquired stations benefit from multi-platform digital distribution meaning they can continue to broadcast in an increasingly competitive, digital and voice-activated world. This ensures the provision of local news and information, traffic and travel as well as access for advertisers to highly valued audiences.”

Greatest Hits Radio offers classic hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s alongside regional drive time and networked breakfast shows.

The spokesman added: "These changes do unfortunately mean that some roles will be put into consultation and freelance contracts reviewed. Bauer Media is fully committed to supporting all affected employees throughout this period and will be working closely with them over the months ahead. A period of consultation with employees potentially affected will commence today."

Graham Bryce, Group Managing Director – Hits Radio Network Brand, said, “We are committed to ensuring the future of radio in local markets and serving the needs of our listeners and advertisers. However, our top priority right now will be to support those affected through this period.”