A long-serving regional daily sports editor who recently bowed out after 48 years at the paper is to be succeeded by his deputy.

As previously reported on HTFP, Paul Ricketts, pictured, left the Worcester News last month after spending his whole career at the Newsquest title, mostly as sports editor.

His replacement has now been announced as James Reece, who previously held the deputy sports editor role.

Other recent job moves in the UK regional press include the following:

• Basingstoke Gazette news editor Chris Gregory has left the paper after eight years to take up a media relations role.  His successor is Mike Sims who will combine the role with that of head of editorial at the Andover Advertiser.
• Katie Mercer has joined the Slough Express as a reporter. She previously worked at the Maidenhead Advertiser.
• Matt Wilson has been appointed West Bromwich Albion reporter at the Express & Star, succeeding Steve Madeley, who left to join the Wardle Whittell sports news agency this summer.
• Steven Brown has been appointed as a reporter at the Watford Observer.
• Reporter Becca Taylor has left the Surrey Advertiser and joined the Wandsworth Guardian as a reporter.
• Shelly Fountain, fashion and beauty writer at the Southern Daily Echo, is now on maternity leave.
• The Bournemouth Echo has appointed Kate Wilson as a reporter.
• Ashley Preece has been appointed as a reporter at the Great Barr Observer.

On the move yourself?  Email [email protected] with the details.