BBC Radio 1's new-look chart show is set to launch with a virtual unknown installed as its new host.

Wes Butters, formerly a DJ in the north of England, was chosen to front the show following a nationwide search to find a replacement for Mark Goodier, who departed as chart host last November.

Butters, 23, joins Radio 1 after a near three-year spell presenting mid-mornings for Newcastle's Galaxy 105-106, in addition to previous stints at Century stations in Nottingham and Manchester.

Despite Butters' low national profile, Andy Parfitt, Radio 1 controller, is confident of his choice: "Wes is a great young radio star with bags of enthusiasm - it's brilliant to have a presenter who is really connected to the audience that is buying the records."

Radio 1 bosses are counting on Butters' youthful appeal as part of the station's attempt to refresh the image of its 35-year-old chart show.

Although details of the revamp are being kept under wraps, more live performances and artist interviews are expected, but conjecture abounds that Top 40 songs not in line with the station's music policy will be shortened or excluded as a result.

The revamp comes at a time of increased competition between radio chart shows, causing Radio 1 to fight for listeners with the ILR Hit 40 UK - the UK's most listened-to chart - and Emap's Goodier-fronted Smash Hits chart, which transmits to 31 commercial stations.

The decline in listeners to Radio 1's sales-only chart is also a result of the antipathy towards the chart itself, which was recently branded 'dysfunctional' by the executive producer of Top Of The Pops and which is compiled amid a continuing slump for singles sales.

Nevertheless, the first chance for the new show to win back listeners comes this Sunday, with Liberty X guesting alongside Butters from 4pm on 97-99FM.