Volunteers are needed to help as news interviewees and assessors at future ‘senior reporter’ exams.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists is appealing for anyone who can spare a few hours to help with the National Certificate Examinations to email [email protected].

Last month 186 trainees sat the latest batch of NCEs and 101 volunteers helped out. Results are due to be out towards the end of the month.

Tri Media Publishing Ltd, publishers of the Oxford Journal and Basingstoke Observer, have appointed Gail Ainsworth as their new advertisement manager at the Observer.

Gail, who was formerly a senior sales manager at the Banbury Cake, will join the Observer on Tuesday.

It coincides with the tenth anniversary of the paper’s launch.

Former Tory Party leader and Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard officially opened the new offices of the Folkestone Herald.

The Herald’s new home is actually only yards away from its former office in the Kent town.

Staff of the Dover, Deal and Sandwich Express are also based at the same new offices and their various contact details remain unchanged.

Gloucester-based daily The Citizen has appointed Ellie Simmonds as its new deputy news editor and Tom Edwards is its new assistant news editor.

David Thomas has also been appointed chief city reporter, covering Gloucester City Council and shifts on the news desk.

Senior reporter Nadia Stone also joins the title after stints with fellow Northcliffe Media papers the Express and Echo, Exeter, and the Bath Chronicle.

Meanwhile, The Citizen and its sister title the Gloucestershire Echo have increased their price by 2p to 40 on Monday to Friday.

It is the first cover price increase in nearly two years while the Saturday paper’s price remains unchanged.

The Midland News Association, publisher of the Express and Star and Shropshire Star, has launched a new online jobs platform.

Called Homeofjobs.co.uk, it will make job searches quicker and more easier, says the firm. It also offer a free matching service for candidates who load up their CVs.

Elsewhere at the MNA, Louise Burns has been appointed as advertising director and joins the company’s board from 29 March. She will be responsible for developing advertising across all MNA titles.