World Service 'advert plan' approved

The government cut 16% of the World Service's £270m budget in 2010 as part of its spending review

Plans to run adverts on one of the BBC World Service's radio services have been approved by the BBC Trust.

The scheme follows a government request that the Service generates £3m from commercial activities by 2013/2014.

The proposed year-long pilot to insert advertising into World Service English output on the Berlin FM frequency would see advertising extended to BBC radio broadcasts for the first time.

Ads will also be put on the Service's Arabic, Russian and Spanish websites.

The commercial proposals were presented to the BBC Trust on 17 November, according to minutes published on Thursday.

"The Trust approved the executive proposals, subject to necessary regulatory processes, noting that permission would also be required from the Foreign Secretary, prior to implementation," the minutes read.

In 2010 the government reduced the World Service's annual budget by 16% and said the Foreign Office would no longer fund it from 2014.

The service, which started broadcasting in 1932, has a worldwide audience of 241 million across radio, television and online.