A weekly newspaper’s chief reporter has been promoted to the editorship of the title.

Nigel Slater has taken the reins at the Malvern Observer after previous editor Geoff Berkeley took a new job with the Worcester News.

Geoff has joined the News’s sports team after more than four-and-a-half years with the Observer’s parent company, Bullivant Media.

Nigel, 29, previously worked at Wolverhampton-based daily the Express & Star before moving to the Observer.

He said: “I am honoured and delighted to take up this role,” he said.

“Since the paper launched more than two years ago I have been impressed with how the paper has grown within the Malvern community.

“My aim is to continue the excellent work done by previous editors and reporters to give our readers a great mix in news content.

“I would like to thank Geoff for doing such a great job with the paper and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Long-serving News sports editor Paul Ricketts left the newspaper in September and has been succeeded in that role by his former deputy James Reece.

Geoff had served as the Observer’s sports editor when it launched in 2013, and took up the editorship in April.

He said: “I have had a fantastic time at Bullivant Media where I have met and worked with some brilliant people.

“Covering the Her Majesty the Queen’s visit to Worcester in 2012 was a real highlight along with travelling up and down the country reporting on Worcester Warriors over the past four seasons.

“It has also been a privilege to be involved with the Malvern Observer since it launched in 2013 – as sports editor and then taking over editor in April.

“The paper continues to go from strength to strength and I am confident Nigel will build on its growing reputation in the town.”