Parks and Recreation is losing two of its main stars with the decision for both Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins) and Rob Lowe (Chris Traeger) to leave the show following season sixth, which is due for release in the near future.

The two characters are having a baby together and their departure is thought to be tied in to this plotline. Exective producer Mike Schur has stated that 'The news about Rob and Rashida is true- they will be leaving the show after the 13th episode of the upcoming season six. We've been working on their story line (on and off) for four seasons now, and heading into this year, with the two of them contemplating parenthood, it felt like a natural time to move them into the next phase.'

Jones has played the part of Ann Perkins, the local nurse in the fictional town of Pawnee which is supposed to be based in Indiana, since the show's premiere in 2009. Rob Lowe joined the cast as a guest star in 2010 and was quickly adopted as a regular cast member. His character Chris Traeger is a state auditor turned Pawnee city manager whose health conscious ways have led him to think he cold be the first person to live to 150 years old.

Continuing his public statement, producer Schur stated '"We absolutely love both Rashida and Rob, and will be sad to see them go. Rashida was one of the very first people we knew we wanted in the cast, and as important as Ann is to Leslie (and vice-versa), she'll certainly never be far from Pawnee.

'Rob we initially thought we could only have for six or eight episodes, and we couldn't be happier that he will have stuck around for 75. They are wonderful, funny, committed actors, they've been a huge part of the Parks and Rec family, and we think we have a great Pawnee send-off in the works for them'.

The two actors are said to leave after the 13th episode season 6, which will air in the US next February. Those parks will be a lonely place without two of its funniest members. Anyone else feel a tinge of pity for Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) even if she isn't real? In all honesty, she may as well be to us.