Fiona Phillips has been appointed editor of the Western Telegraph.

Fiona, currently the title's features editor, has broad experience in the newspaper industry and has served in almost every editorial role on the Western Telegraph since joining as a trainee reporter in 1980.

She was at one time the youngest woman editor in the country at the newly-launched Swansea Gazette and has also been chief courts reporter for a leading news agency.

Newsquest West Wales general manager David Evans said: "As the Western Telegraph approaches its 150th anniversary, Fiona represents a significant departure from the newspaper's male-dominated editorships of the past.

"I believe the new ideas she plans to introduce will be welcomed by her enthusiastic editorial team, our readers and advertisers.

"I am confident her appointment will enhance the Western Telegraph's reputation as the Welsh flagship among weekly papers and, as outgoing editor, I will offer all the support and help I can to ensure she is quickly at home in her new role."

Fiona is married with a ten-year-old daughter and lives in Pembroke Dock. She will take up her new appointment on Monday, the day on which the West Wales centre is expanded to add the Ammanford-based South Wales Guardian to its existing titles.

The post, as now, includes editorship of the Milford Mercury.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
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