A weekly newspaper which is celebrating its 150th birthday this year has a new editor.

Hannah Ridgeway joins the Johnston Press-owned Dewsbury Reporter with nearly two decades of regional press and PR experience under her belt.

She started her career with the Halifax Courier where worked in a number of roles including chief reporter, sub-editor, features editor and assistant editor.

The 41-year-old has also worked in public relations and been deputy editor of Johnston’s Brighouse Echo, based near Halifax.

Hannah said: “I am looking forward to being part of the Dewsbury community and meeting the readers and advertisers.

“I am proud to be joining the team at the Dewsbury Reporter Series where we will continue to reflect the news and views of local people with honesty and integrity.”

Mark Bradley, group editor of the Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group, said he was delighted to have secured Hannah’s appointment.

“It is a fantastic boost for our newspapers to bring in someone of Hannah’s calibre.

“She has a proven track record as a journalist and is clearly highly passionate about our titles.”

Hannah replaces Richard Firth who is now editor of Newsquest’s News Shopper Series which covers south-east London and north Kent.

The role became vacant when previous editor Jean May moved to the Cayman Islands after nearly ten years with the papers.