A regional daily’s education reporter who moved to the UK from his native Singapore to become a journalist has left the title for a new role.

Michael Yong, left, became a reporter at the Gloucestershire Echo around two years ago after studying for a BA and a postgraduate qualification in journalism at Cardiff University.

He has now moved on to become a senior reporter at fellow Local World title the Bristol Post.

Before leaving Michael was interviewed for a feature in the Echo, in which he gave his views on Cheltenham and his time there.

Said Michael: “I’d like to thank Cheltenham for allowing me to be part of the town. When I left the St Paul’s meeting last week they gave me a card they’d personalised.

“I’ve had to cover bad things in the area, crime, fighting, rubbish in the streets, but it’s an area I’ve championed over the last two years and that meant a lot to me. It shows what a local journalist can do.”

Other recent jobs moves in the regional press include:

• Alasdair Reid, rugby union reporter at Glasgow-based The Herald, is joining the Scottish edition of The Times, where he will write about rugby and golf.
• David Robinson, who was literary editor at The Scotsman for 15 years, has now left the title under a voluntary redundancy scheme and will continue working as a freelance.
• The Sheffield Telegraph’s Lesley Draper has left her role as senior reporter although she will continue to edit its ‘Food & Drink’ section on a freelance basis. A replacement at the Telegraph has not yet been confirmed.
• Mike Rankin has left his role as editor of the Deeside Piper and Herald. Mike will be succeeded by Morag Kuc, currently editor of the Peterhead-based Buchan Advertiser, Fraserburgh Herald and Ellon Times newspapers.