A former national newspaper reporter has made the switch to local journalism by becoming the new editor of a weekly paper in Dorset.

Tony Bonnici worked as a general news reporter for both The Sun and most recently the Daily Express during his time on Fleet Street.

But this week he took on a fresh challenge as he took charge of the 11,000-circulation Bridport and Lyme Regis News.

Tony said his priority at the moment was simply to get to know the role and the patch. “It’s my first week here and I just want to get settled into the job,” he said.

Tony left the Express in the summer after joining the paper from the Sun in 2007. Among the big stories he covered there was last year’s infamous spate of suicides in the South Wales town of Bridgend.

Before moving to the nationals, Tony also worked for the Gloucestershire Echo as deputy news editor in 1999-2000.

Tony replaces Holly Robinson who stepped down in June after four years in charge of the Newsquest-owned title.

Holly moved to become deputy editor of the News’ sister newspapers the Bucks Free Press, Midweek Press and Star series in High Wycombe.