Nearly 100 BBC News staff have signed an open letter protesting against proposed cuts to their budget.

Among those putting their names to the expression of "dismay" are big names including Today's James Naughtie and Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler.

It calls on the BBC Trust to protect the corporation's news output instead of "salami slicing" budgets across the board to meet its funding shortfall.

The letter is addressed to Sir Michael Lyons, BBC Trust chairman, and other trustees, and states: "We, the undersigned, all work for BBC News and want to express our dismay at the budget cuts that are being proposed by management.

"We believe the cuts as outlined would make it impossible for us to maintain the editorial standards for which BBC News is famous."

To meet funding cuts, brought on by a tight licence fee settlement, BBC News is facing 5% cuts annually.

The letter has also been signed by Today editor Ceri Thomas, Malcolm Downing, editor of world assignments, and Radio 4 Six O'Clock News editor Tim Bailey.