IT IS the end of an era for Power FM listeners.

One half of the station's popular breakfast show team is leaving Hampshire next month after five years.

Saints and Hampshire cricket fan Rachel Brookes has been dragging herself out of bed at 4.30am each weekday over the years to join her co-presenter Rick Jackson and their madcap sidekick Maximum Bob in the studio.

Rachel, 31, from Whiteley, has presented 1,456 shows, totalling 6,552 hours. She said her most embarassing moment was when childhood idol Matt Goss flirted relentlessly with her throughout an interview.

Rachel, who is moving to national sports radio station Talksport, told the Daily Echo about some of the highlights of her time at Power FM.

She said: "In terms of guests we've interviewed it's pretty much anyone who's anyone in pop - Usher, Kylie, Ronan Keating, Westlife. They were all nice. The Sugababes, Keisha and Heidi were so friendly and lovely, but Mutya was the most miserable person I've ever come across. She wouldn't answer any questions!

"The Power in the Park events have been brilliant and I always love Bob's stunts. I will never forget making him swim the Solent as Rick and I sat on the ferry drinking coffee.

"You get used to the early mornings and I've never said no to going out because of work.

"You either go home early or feel awful the next day. I've done a couple right through, gone out and gone straight to work in the morning.

"It's been brilliant and I'm really going to miss the guys loads. When I started I couldn't believe I was going to be paid to have a laugh and that's exactly what I've done for the past five years."

Rachel previously worked on Kiss FM in London and Rock FM in Preston.

The breakfast show is one of the most successful in the UK with 181,000 listeners per week. Rachel's power anthems show is the most listened to radio show in Hampshire on a Friday night.

Power FM bosses are yet to announce a replacement for the popular presenter, whose last show is on Friday February 3.

They are holding a leaving party for Rachel and her listeners at the Old Customs House in Gunwharf Quays on Thursday January 26 from 7.30pm.