Newspapers that want to develop their own style book are being targeted by a new service from a former regional press editor.

They can buy nearly 100 pages of style book content that can be amended as necessary to match their own policies.

The content comes as a Word document that can be edited, ready to be turned into a reference book or online facility for the newspaper's staff.

It includes chapters on policy, practice, reporting on minorities and grammar and an A to Z section containing 1,250 word choices.

The service - Keep in Step - has been written by Geoff Elliott, former editor of the Kent Messenger, Coventry Evening Telegraph and The News, Portsmouth, and former head of journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston. He is a former president and a Fellow of the Society of Editors.

He said: "More newspapers than you might think don't have style books or have books they regard themselves, as inadequate.

"But it is such a daunting task to write one. Inevitably it gets put off to a period of peace and quiet that never comes.

"Keep in Step is complete in itself or in a couple of afternoons can be edited to match anyone's requirements."

Geoff has also been writing a booklet called Reporting Diversity offering advice to editors and journalists on reporting minority groups.

This will published shortly by the Society of Editors and the Media Trust and has been funded by the Home Office.

Keep in Step is available through the Editorial Centre at Hastings. Contact 01424 435991.