Emma Barnett is to leave Woman's Hour in April for a new role presenting BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

She will replace Martha Kearney, who previously announced she would leave the morning news programme after the next general election.

Barnett said she was "delighted to be joining a programme that occupies such a unique space in British life".

The presenter will also front documentaries and set piece interviews for the BBC as part of her new role.

In a statement, she said: "We are living in volatile times where sometimes even asking a question can seem risky - wrongly so.

"My ambition on the Today programme is to keep asking the questions that listeners want answers to - as well as raising many smiles along the way - while armed with a very strong cup of tea."

She added: "My time on Woman's Hour means a great deal to me and I want to thank the team and our mighty army of listeners for how much we have shared - the joy, wisdom, sorrow and sometimes sheer rage."