Northcliffe Media has moved to plug the vacant editorship at Yeovil-based weekly the Western Gazette by appointing 45-year-old Lynne Fernquest to the role.

Lynne moves from the job of assistant editor, production, at the South Wales Evening Post in Swansea where she regularly deputised for editor Spencer Feeney.

The Gazette chair has been empty since the departure of Tim Dixon to become editor of the Western Daily Press in succession to Andy Wright last month.

Lynne, who will start work in Yeovil next Monday, 17 May, first joined the Evening Post 17 years ago as a sub editor and has subsequently worked as assistant chief sub editor, chief sub editor, head of production and assistant editor.

She told HTFP: “I am delighted to have been appointed editor of the Western Gazette and look forward to leading the excellent team of journalists through any challenges that lay ahead.

“I joined Northcliffe 17 years ago and have been privileged to work with – and learn from – experts in all areas of our newspaper business. I feel perfectly placed to take that experience with huge helpings of enthusiasm to such a prestigious newspaper.”