Calendar presenter Christa Ackroyd is to join Look North in a shock channel switch as the BBC expands its services for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, it was announced today.

Christa is expected to start her new job in the early autumn.

She will join Harry Gration as co-presenter of the Leeds-based regional news programme.

Current Look North presenter Clare Frisby, who lives in York, will move to Humberside to be the face of the BBC's new localised Look North news services for Hull, the East Riding and Lincolnshire.

Christa, who presented her final Calendar news broadcast yesterday, is being replaced by Christine Talbot, who currently presents Yorkshire TV's Tonight programme.

Christine will team up with Mike Morris to front Calendar.

Before her television career, Christa Ackroyd spent many years working in local radio in both Bradford and Leeds, making her name while broadcasting there during the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.

Christa said today: "I've really enjoyed my time with YTV, but I found the offer to join the BBC's multi-media operation irresistible.

"The BBC is clearly putting more and more resources into its regional services and I want to be part of this exciting future - not only on television, but also on radio."

Clare Frisby, who spent her university years in Hull, said: "The area has always been special for me. I loved my years there and I'm looking forward to the new challenge.

"Every news presenter really longs to fly solo and this gives me the opportunity."

It is believed that Christa was first tempted to join the BBC two years ago, but an improved pay deal kept her at YTV.

Updated: 15:32 Wednesday, May 30, 2001