Two “extraordinary and respected” internal candidates have been named as the new editors of two Welsh weekly papers.

Emma Bryant, the Carmarthen Journal’s former production editor and beauty blogger, has been named editor of the title after Jonathan Roberts became editor of the South Wales Evening Post.

And Rebecca Davies, who was a news editor at the South Wales Evening Post, has been named as the editor of the Llanelli Star.

She takes over from Bede MacGowan, who moved to become editor of the Mid Somerset Series and Somerset Standard in April.

The announcement has sparked a series of promotions at South West Wales Media, part of Local World.

Tony Dowling, managing director of South West Wales Media, said he was delighted with the appointments.

Left, Emma Bryant, who has been named as the new editor of the Carmarthen Journal, and right the new editor of the Llanelli Star, Rebecca Davies

“I’m so pleased to be able to recognise the talent within our business for these pivotal posts,” he said.

“Emma and Rebecca are both extraordinary and respected journalists with bags of experience, and I think their unique perspectives and expertise is exactly what we need to lead these brands into a very exciting future.”

Emma, who will start her new role on August 5, began her career at the South Wales Evening Post in 1999 as the classified office junior. She then became a trainee journalist, before moving quickly onto the sub-editors’ desk.

In 2010, she was promoted to the position of production editor of the Evening Post and its sister titles the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star as well as Swansea Life, Business Life and Cowbridge Life magazines.

She said it was an “incredible honour” to be named editor, and Tweeted that she was “happy and excited” by the news.

“The editorial and advertising teams are extremely talented and I look forward to providing the communities of Carmarthenshire with even more local news both in print and online,” she added.

Meanwhile, Rebecca’s career began 17 years ago as a trainee reporter – also at the South Wales Evening Post – going on to take up the roles of district reporter, senior and chief reporter, before heading up the news desk in Swansea.

She said: “The Star is already at the heart of Llanelli town centre and its surrounding areas.

“These are exciting times and with a fantastic editorial and advertising team around me, I am looking forward to building on its success as editor.”

She will take up her new role with immediate effect – and will be replaced by Nick Parry, who has been acting editor at the Carmarthen Journal for several months after returning from almost a decade at the BBC.

A series of other promotions and job changes at the South Wales Evening Post has also been announced in the wake of the appointments, including the creation of two new posts – website editor and creative editor, which will be filled by Paul Turner and Sian David respectively.

Alex Brown, the former assistant news editor, has been appointed as deputy news editor to replace Paul Turner.

Alex in turn will be replaced by Helen Keates.