The managing editor of a regional daily has left her role after 43 years in the industry.

Pauline Leighton, left, who was effectively number two at the Swindon Advertiser, left publisher Newsquest Wiltshire on Monday.

Pauline was also involved in the running of weekly titles the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald and the Wiltshire Times.

She previously served as group deputy editor at Newsquest Wiltshire, taking on the managing editor position in a December 2015 restructure.

The restructure saw Advertiser editor Gary Lawrence appointed to the role of regional editor for Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, following the departure of Oxford Mail editor Simon O’Neill.

The changes saw Pauline put in charge of day-to-day operations at the Advertiser. She had previously served as its acting editor in 2007.

In a memo to staff about Pauline’s departure, which has been seen by HTFP, managing director Chris Moore said: “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Pauline for her contribution to the company and I hope you will join me in wishing Pauline every success in the future.”