An experienced weekly editor axed in a series of cutbacks is to return to newspapers after more than four years.

John Butterworth, who left the Shrewsbury Chronicle in 2009 when his post disappeared in a restructure, has been named as the new editor of Local World title the Black Country Bugle.

The 59-year-old had been group editor of Shropshire Newspapers’ weekly series, which includes the Chronicle, for 12 years until the 2009 cutbacks, which saw 135 Midland News Association staff lose their jobs.

Once awarded the MBE for his services to journalism and charity, John currently helps oversee the National Qualification in Journalism exam for the NCTJ.

Said John:  “I am delighted to be appointed editor of the Black Country Bugle and having already met the team I am looking forward to working with the excellent team.”

John, pictured above, has 40 years of journalism experience including 25 as an editor.  Before taking over at Shrewsbury, he had edited the Bromsgrove Advertiser and the Leek Post and Times.

At the time of his departure from the MNA, he said:  “I did not want to leave newspapers. I’ve had 36 years and I love newspapers. If I’d wanted to leave I could have applied for voluntary redundancy.”

He was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 2008 for his services to journalism and various charities, having raised £5m for various community projects.

Penny Whitelock, Publisher, Staffordshire Newspapers said: “I am really pleased to find an editor who already feels passion for the subject matter of this niche and extremely successful title.

“The team have welcomed him with open arms and we all feel very excited about the ideas and enthusiasm that John will bring to the paper.”

John replaces Rob Taylor, who retired from the Black Country Bugle in March after 33 years with the paper.