A group editor responsible for seven weeklies, including one he has run for nearly 16 years, has quit his role “with immediate effect”.

Staff serving under Paul Walker, pictured left, at the Newsquest titles were told on Thursday afternoon of his departure.

Paul had been responsible for overseeing the Stourbridge News, Halesowen News, Dudley News, Kidderminster Shuttle, Bromsgrove Advertiser and Droitwich Advertiser.

He also departs from the Redditch and Alcester Advertiser, which he had edited since January 1999.

An announcement sent out to staff by Newsquest Worcester and Stourbridge managing director Trevor Sallis reads: “Paul Walker, group editor for Stourbridge Division has resigned his position and left the company with immediate effect.

“Peter John currently group editor of Worcester Division will take over Stourbridge Division in addition to his current responsibilities.

“I would like to thank Paul for his contribution to the company and wish Peter every success in his new position.”

Originally from Zimbabwe, Paul began his journalism career on the country’s national newspaper, The Herald.

He moved to the UK in 1983, joining the St Albans Review, and also worked for a series of weekly newspapers in North London, which included the Hendon Times, before moving to the Birmingham Evening Mail.

Before joining the Redditch Advertiser he had been deputy editor and chief sub-editor the Kidderminster Shuttle, which he had joined in 1989.

He had held the position of group editor at the Stourbridge Division since April, when he took on the editorship of the Shuttle following Clive Joyce’s retirement.