A RIVER City fan has launched a petition after a massive change to the show's format was recently announced. 

We previously reported that from October, the hit BBC Scotland series will air as three distinct series each year with a six-week break in between. 

The current run will come to an end on August 9 before taking a 10-week break and returning in its new multi-series format from October 23. 

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George Smith, commissioning executive at BBC Scotland, said the new format will allow the production team "to delve deeper into storylines and create more 'must-see' moments". 

However, one fan has now launched a petition calling for BBC Scotland to reconsider plans, fearing the new format will "lose loyal fans" of the show. 

Since being started on Tuesday, August 1, the petition has already received more than 70 signatures. 

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The petition reads: "We would love BBC Scotland to bring back a weekly soap opera (River City).

"At present they are planning to air as three different series a year, with breaks of six weeks in between, BBC bosses have announced.

"This will sadly lose loyal fans of the show who will lose interest in the show. 

"You can no longer call it a soap opera as it will not be a continual drama on a weekly basis like Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. 

"We would love BBC Scotland to reconsider their new plans and to not have breaks in between."

BBC Scotland declined to comment in response to the petition. 

You can see the petition HERE.