Two former Manchester Evening News journalists have teamed up to launch their own media company, offering writing and editing, public relations and training services to North West businesses.

Eric Jackson and Joyce Bishop have set up Eavesgreen Media, and hope to draw on their years of journalism and industry contacts – initially concentrating on their particular areas of expertise, which include travel, food and drink, sport and education.

Eric, (50), took redundancy from the MEN in July after almost 20 years there, which included spells as editor of Manchester Evening News Magazine, Go, Weekend Go and Quota business magazine, as well as deputy features editor, travel editor, TV critic and pub columnist.

Meanwhile Joyce, (48), has worked as a news reporter, women’s editor and freelance feature writer for titles such as the MEN and Lancashire Evening Post, and spent three years lecturing in journalism at Edge Hill University.

Eric told holdthefrontpage: “I used to edit the MEN Magazine and Joyce was a freelance writer. We are mates as well, our families mix socially, and Joyce is a great journalist. I probably wouldn’t have set up with anyone else.

“Setting up on our own is exciting but scary as well.”

Joyce added: “I like being my own boss but I am ready for a change and a new challenge. Working for yourself can get quite lonely and so working with Eric is the ideal combination.”

Both Eric and Joyce will combine the new venture will other commitments. Eric teaches newspaper and magazine design at Staffordshire University two days a week, while Joyce works part-time as a marketing officer for Albany Science College in Chorley.

They can be contacted via the website www.eavesgreenmedia.co.uk