David Cullimore, editor of the Dursley based Gazette series in Gloucestershire, is to retire in February 2005.

He will be succeeded by Skip Walker, currently editor of the Stroud News & Journal and Independent series.

Born in Bristol, David (pictured) started his career in newspapers as an 18-year-old trainee with the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald in Devizes in 1958, later transferring to the Evening Advertiser in Swindon, where he ran the Marlborough branch office for both titles.

In 1963, David moved to Workington, joining the Cumberland Evening Star and Cumberland Star and in 1965 he moved to The Long Eaton Advertiser and Stapleford and Sandiacre News as chief reporter, later becoming news editor and then editor.

In 1985 David joined the Dursley-based Gazette series as deputy editor, and has since become the only person to be appointed editor of the title twice - firstly in 1989 and again in 1999 after stints as production editor and then grouptraining officer when Bailey Newspaper Group launched in-house NVQs for trainee journalists.

Trevor Sallis, publisher, Gloucestershire, said: "David has edited the Gazette through some difficult times. However, he now leaves behind a popular, strong and successful, local newspaper, which serves its communities well."

Skip, who will succeed David in February, began her journalistic career as a trainee on the Daily Express in Fleet Street before moving on to magazine and book publishing, working first for IPC and then RobertMaxwell's BPPC.

For the past nine years, Skip has edited the Stroud News & Journal.

Trevor said: "She leaves the paper very much on a high with successive year on year circulation increases.

"Although I know Skip will be very much missed in Stroud, I wish her every success in her new role."

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