Metro Mayor Dan Norris has cautiously welcomed the news that Channel 4 and ministers are discussing new funding models for the much-loved broadcaster to avoid privatisation.

The minister in charge of the sale, Michelle Donelan, said she is considering "other options for providing long-term sustainability" to Channel 4 while reviewing plans to sell off the broadcaster.

Mayor Norris said the move could open the door to a face-saving compromise for ministers that would see the full sale of the broadcaster to a commercial rival dropped.

He said he hoped any changes to Channel's business model is based on the broadcaster's alternative privatisation plan which could involve the doubling of staff working outside London, including in the Channel 4 Bristol Hub, with thousands more in the region's wider creative sector.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: "The plan to sell off Channel 4 to the highest bidder was always ideologically driven, and petty. It's also bad economics - directly threatening the Creative Hub in Bristol and the thousands of jobs in my region's amazing creative sector. I've stood side by side with Channel 4 in the fight to keep the broadcaster public, and keep it in the West of England. I hope the Culture Secretary's comments signal the beginning of the end of these really damaging privatisation plans".

Mr Norris has campaigned against the sale of Channel 4 since it was first proposed and recently visited Bristol's Channel 4 Hub with fellow metro mayor and former Corrie actor Tracy Brabin.