Richard Best is the new deputy editor of the North Devon Journal.

In a varied career he has work on local newspapers in the UK and edited a glossy leisure magazine in Dubai before becoming a senior editor at the Gulf's biggest book and magazine publishing house.

Most recently, he has spent the past few weeks on temporary secondment on the newsdesk at the Journal.

His new role, which takes effect immediately, will include running the newsdesk and deputising for managing editor Andy Cooper, as well as playing a key role in the strategic development of the paper.

Andy said: "Richard joins us at a significant period in the Journal's development and I am very much looking forward to working with him to take the paper forward."

Richard started his career in journalism as a trainee reporter in Tiverton in 1988 and then moved to the South Wales Evening Post - initially as health correspondent and later in different senior newsroom roles.

He then moved to Dubai and on returning to Devon worked at the Express & Echo as features editor, before returning to work for Cornwall and Devon Media at Tiverton last year.

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