The BBC should try harder to reflect the huge changes that have taken place in one of its main regions in the kind of programming it offers.

BBC Northern Ireland has been told it needs to stop focusing on the Troubles and revamp its output to display a better understanding of Northern Ireland society.

A damning report has been handed down by the BBC Audience Council Northern Ireland - a body that works to ensure that the voice of the local audience is heard.

As part of its remit, the Council advises the BBC Trust - the governing body of the BBC - which in turn has considerable power to wield on behalf of licence fee payers.

The Audience Council provides the Trust with a close and continuing assessment of BBC performance in Northern Ireland, taking into account all of the BBC's network and local services across television, radio and online.

It also identifies local audience priorities, which the Trust considers when it is setting the priorities for the BBC's management.

In its annual review, just published, it warned that audiences now expect "a more up-to-date portrayal" of the region.

"We have noted how often people from different backgrounds and interests talk about an apparent preoccupation with political and security issues and the absence of a fuller picture of a modern and evolving Northern Ireland," it said.

The review said the BBC needed to do more to reflect the integral role which individuals from diverse groups play within wider society.

"Too often people feel that they are defined by a single facet of their identity such as disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation," it added.

Among the other issues which the Audience Council highlighted were too much programming which was formulaic or repetitive - an over-reliance on themes and formats that had run their course and needed to be refreshed or replaced.

The rport underlined the need for more "innovation and risk-taking" and expressed doubts over whether the daytime schedule took account of the diversity of audience needs at this time, given changing work patterns and life choices.

The Audience Council also said that viewers require more high quality programmes with newer and fresher ideas.

Rotha Johnston, the National Trustee for Northern Ireland, said the Audience Council is committed to championing the interests of the audience.

"We have identified many areas of achievement, such as the sustained high performance of BBC Radio Ulster, the launch of Democracy Live, and some wonderful examples of programmes of the highest quality made in NI for a UK-wide audience," she said.

"However, we are also very aware of areas where the audience believes that the BBC could do better."

(BMcC/GK)