Jane Garvey is to join BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour team next month.

She replaces Martha Kearney who left in April to become the main presenter of World At One. Garvey's first appearance will be on October 8, alongside fellow presenter Jenni Murray.

Garvey started her media career as a promotions assistant for the commercial station Radio Wyvern where she later became news editor before leaving in 1988 to join BBC Hereford & Worcester as a reporter. In 1989 she became the station's Breakfast presenter. She was the first voice on BBC Radio 5 Live when it was launched in March 1994, as co-presenter on the Breakfast programme.

She will join Radio 4 after completing a 13-year run as co-host of 5 Live's Drive programme, with Peter Allen.

Garvey said: "Woman's Hour is part of radio history and I'm thrilled to be given the chance to present a programme that has a special place in so many people's lives."

Mark Damazer, controller of Radio 4, said: "I have been a fan of Jane's work for many years and am thrilled that she will be joining Jenni Murray on Woman's Hour. She has verve and wit and she has demonstrated over many years an ability to deal with a huge array of current affairs topics. It's a very good day for Radio 4."