'River City' staff fear for their jobs

Long-standing River City crew members have expressed fears for their jobs as the show undergoes a major overhaul.

As revealed earlier this week, the Scottish soap is being transformed into a weekly drama after being given a new hour-long slot.

The planned changes have resulted in some crew members being axed. Further staff are expected to be given the chop in the coming weeks.

"A lot of people have been told they will no longer be working on River City and there are fears more will go," one worker told the Daily Record.

"We are talking about people who have worked long hours for years who are suddenly being sacked without so much as a thank-you. It's a kick in the teeth. No one was prepared for this."

A second crew member added: "I have been there since the beginning and they basically took me in and said, 'We think you should go get other jobs.' A lot of the main people on the show have been lost."

Though a BBC spokeswoman played down talk of major cuts, she confirmed: "When we resume filming, there will be a mixture of individuals who have worked on River City before, as well as some who haven't."