John McCready is to be the new editor-in-chief at the Courier Media Group in Tunbridge Wells following the retirement of Roger Watkins.

John, (47), who is deputy editor of The Bath Chronicle, spent much of his childhood and teenage years living in a village near Tunbridge Wells and trained as a journalist on the Kent and Sussex Courier.

His career as a reporter, news editor and production journalist has taken him to weekly and daily papers in Devon, south London, north Kent and Bath.

In his new role he will oversee the Kent & Sussex Courier, Sevenoaks Chronicle and East Grinstead Courier.

He said: "This is an exciting and challenging time for local newspapers and I am very much looking forward to leading the Courier Media Group's editorial team. The group's newspapers are at the heart of their community, which is a great place to be."

Richard Karn, managing director of the south east weeklies, added: "We look forward to welcoming John back to the south east where he started his career in journalism.

"The team he inherits from Roger is enthusiastic, talented and successful and I am confident that we can make great progress under John’s stewardship."

John will take up the new position with effect from April 12. The group circulates more than 50,000 copies.