Editor of the Scotsman Magazine Alison Gray has become deputy editor of the new merged magazine division in Edinburgh.

The appointment is the latest in a series of job moves at The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday as the two papers merge their editorial and production operations.

The international editor of The Times George Brock is the new head of journalism at City University, in London.

He will take up the role on 1 September which was vacated by Adrian Monck several weeks ago.

George started his career at the then Yorkshire Evening Press and later joined The Observer.

The Campaign for Freedom of Information is running two courses later this year about the information commissioner and tribunal decisions.

They are aimed at people with a good working knowledge of legislation and will highlight key developments in the law.

Seminars take place in London on 30 November and Birmingham on 3 December. Email [email protected] for further details.

Nottingham Trent University journalism lecturer Dave Welford is visiting Downing Street today to showcase the talents of young people with autism.

The former Derby Evening Telegraph sub-editor went with charity HOPE and youngsters affected by the condition to present hanging baskets to the Prime Minister.

It was arranged by South Derbyshire MP Mark Todd to demonstrate best practice in the provision of services for people with autism.

Last month Dave walked 33 miles through the Derbyshire countryside in a bid to raise £10,000 for an autism project.

The Leicester Mercury is considering switching its online comment facility to allow readers to post their views 24/7 and is seeking their opinions.

Currently posters do not need to pre-register with an email address and the comment facility is turned off outside office hours.

The Northcliffe daily is considering a “lighter touch” in moderation and will not stand in the way of people criticising it, blogs acting editor Keith Perch.

Former Lancashire Evening Telegraph editor Peter Butterfield has been crowned the county’s top business journalist.

Peter, who has just retired as editor of the Lancashire Business View magazine, helped revamp the title’s website and oversaw a redesign.

He won the award at the Lancashire Business Awards run by the Downtown Preston business club.