Coventry City Council has appointed journalist Fran Collingham as communications and media relations manager. Ms Collingham, 42, will take up the post in September after working out her notice at Birmingham City Council where she is currently second-in-command of communications.

Des Hudson, the former publishing chief executive of SMG whose £500,000 transaction bonus caused significant protest at its most recent annual meeting, has been appointed as chief executive of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
The accountancy body has 300,000 members and students in 160 countries. His previous career includes criminal law, building societies, and newspapers.

Months of hard work was concluded this week when ten and 11-year old pupils from Whites Wood Lane Primary school in Gainsborough met Lincolnshire Echo business editor Glynis Fox.
The youngsters have been creating their own newspaper pages as part of a history project and Glynis was invited to the school to help the children improve their writing skills.

A story that touched the nation's heart has brought over £160,000 into Terri Calvesbert's trust fund.
Terri, who suffered 90 per cent burns, was brought into the spotlight in a television documentary. Her trust fund, set up by the Ipswich Evening Star, has seen more than £40,000 donated, with £11,000 arriving in just one day.

A supporter of the Wiltshire Gazette's campaign to save the Devizes Maternity Unit from closure has given birth to her eighth child.
Tracy Griffiths, (32), was one of the 500 people to take part in a protest march though Devizes in February, when the petition was handed over to the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust.

Nearly £4,000 was raised for children with cancer and leukaemia at a charity ball that was part of the East Anglian Daily Times' 'Clic into action' appeal.
The £50,000 target has now been brought well within reach thanks to the 200 guests at the ball which was held at the BT Adastral Park last Saturday.

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