A weekly newspaper has appointed a new editor after the previous post-holder retired from the industry after 47 years.

Richard Parker, left, has been chosen to take the helm at the Keighley News after long-standing editor Malcolm Hoddy left in September to become a “professional cyclist”.

Richard has spent the last five months as deputy editor of the paper’s sister titles the Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale and Aireborough Observer, which also now have a new editor, Dick Porter, pictured below.

Malcolm was editor of the Keighley title for 17 years and editor-in-chief of the sister papers but retired in September to take on a role with Safe2Cycle, a Bradford-based cycle training company run by his wife Francine.

Richard, who was previously deputy editor of the Selby Times for 10 years, will soon be moving to the area with his wife Angela afer his appointment to editor.

He said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed to the editorship of the Keighley News. I can’t wait to get stuck into the job and serve the local community in the excellent tradition it has come to rightfully expect from the town’s premier news service.

“The Keighley News has a loyal readership, and I want to build on that both through the paper and our online presence. I’m fortunate to have a great team in Keighley.”

Dick has now taken up the reins at the Gazette and Observer titles after 42 years in the industry.

He has held roles at the Telegraph and Argus, the Sheffield Star, the Halifax Courier, the Yorkshire Post and the Yorkshire Evening Post, as well as the Daily Mirror, Daily Star, Sunday Mirror and Daily Mail.

Said Dick: “I’m so pleased to be working for these two great Yorkshire titles. My first job at 17 was as a cub reporter on the Pudsey and Stanningley News – a big, steam-driven, clanking weekly.

“So it’s fabulous to be in charge of two Yorkshire weekly papers again – though this time without the steam.”

Newsquest Bradford group editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Richard to the editor’s seat at the Keighley News. He is an experienced and committed senior journalist who has already made a mark at our Wharfedale titles and I am certain he will do a fine job of taking the Keighley News to even greater heights.

“I’m delighted to welcome Dick back to our newspaper family.

“He has worked for me twice before on the Telegraph & Argus in Bradford and I know he is a highly experienced and committed journalist who will provide fine leadership for these titles as they strive to do an even better job for their readers and advertisers in the years to come.”