BBC Asian Network has poached Club Asia's star DJ and presenter Jas Rao, host of its highly popular Breakfast Show.

It is the second time this year the digital radio station has hired a Club Asia presenter. In April it announced Noreen Khan was joining its line-up.

Jas Rao (pictured) had been with Club Asia since it launched four years ago. "I am absolutely excited and positive about my move to the BBC Asian Network. This step will no doubt push my career in radio further and help to provide me with more skills, challenges and experiences in the future," he said.

Initially deputising on Nihal Arthanayake's phone-in show during late mornings, he will also feature on Saturday's Love Bollywood show on occasion, starting from Monday August 13th. Asian Network says the latest signing is part of its "ongoing repositioning as a young British Asian music centred station".

It has also signed up Bhangra remix DJ Sonny Ji and presenters Panjabi Hit Squad (PHS) to present a show on Saturdays 5 - 8pm from 4th August. The latter will replace Mentor Kollectiv.

PHS were part of the original line-up when the digital radio station BBC 1Xtra was launched. Their show on 1Xtra will continue to air as before. Some in the music industry have privately raised eyebrows over the fact that Asian Network's head of music, Mark Strippel, is also part of Punjabi Hit Squad.

PR manager Pedro Carvalho, who run the agency FNIK, said, "As much as I like the PHS, I find it disappointing. It's the same old, same old [names]."

He added that Asian Network's recent signings were "dissapointing". He thought the station would "look further afield to find new talent" he said.

BBC Asian Network has repeatedly come under fire in the past for raiding talent from other parts of the BBC rather than developing new voices.

Controller Bob Shennan defended its policy in the past by saying the station's job was to "attract and retain the best talent to provide the best possible service for our current and future listeners".

But there is a growing chorus of discontent voices. Another music executive who did not want to be named told AIM magazine today it was "lame" of Asian Network to also raid rivals for presenters.

"If Club Asia can find new talent and develop it, why can't they?"