The former editor of a regional daily newspaper has joined a university’s board of governors.

Paul Horrocks, who left the Manchester Evening News last October, is now an independent governor with the University of Bolton.

His appointment will last for the three years and it is a voluntary, non-paid position.

Part of his duties will include keeping a check on financial performance and personnel matters on the university’s resources committee.

Paul spent 12 years as editor of the MEN but announced last September that he would be stepping down after a total of 34 years with its parent company MEN Media.

He left the paper without fanfare a few weeks later and now runs his own media consultancy.

His deputy Maria McGeoghan stepped into his shoes as acting editor and was finally confirmed in the role on Monday following the paper’s sale to Trinity Mirror.