The outgoing editor of a cuts-hit weekly has spoken of his pride after successfully fighting to keep his newspaper’s staff on patch.

As reported on HTFP on Thursday, Trinity Mirror has agreed to keep three journalists at the Black Country Bugle in Dudley after initially proposing to base the newspaper 32 miles away in Tamworth as part of a restructure of the former Local World title.

Editor John Butterworth, left, will leave his role at the Bugle next month along with another member of the newspaper’s staff, one less than had been initially proposed for redundancy in TM’s plan.

The remaining staff are set to move to a new room within the Dudley Archives building, where they are currently housed.

The new room is understood to cost £3,500 per yer to rent compared to the £16,000 currently spent on its present base.

After the initial proposals were announced by Trinity Mirror last month, John told HTFP he would fight the plans.

Speaking to HTFP after Thursday’s announcement by Trinity Mirror, John said: “When I first heard the news that staff would be reduced from five to two primarily working from home, the Black Country Bugle would move out of its premises and I would be made redundant – I decided to fight on three fronts.

“I’m delighted part of my recommendation has been accepted by the company. Nobody in the company had thought to look at alternative ideas, and it took me five minutes to find a similar room in the building.

“I didn’t think two journalists writing on their own could produce a weekly paper, so I’m glad the company has listened to my point of view on that.

“I was fighting for my own future and I’ve failed in that sense, but I’m proud to see any future for my staff and for my paper. I’m proud to say I’ve gone down all guns blazing for the Bugle.”

“I’ve had a brilliant 44 years in journalism and shall go down feeling I’ve left the Bugle in good shape.”

After the changes were announced, the Bugle’s incoming editor Gary Phelps, who already runs seven West Midalnds weeklies, said it had been a “great example of a consultation that has listened to all those involved”.

John, who was awarded the MBE for services to journalism and charity in 2008, was previously editor at the Bromsgrove Advertiser, Leek Post and Times, and Shrewsbury Chronicle – before he lost his job at the Chronicle in 2009 cuts.

He now plans to embark on other ventures after working his last day at the Bugle on 1 July.

John, who took on the Bugle in 2013, added: “While I’ve been editor of the Bugle I’ve enjoyed local history, giving talks and writing.

“Now, after 1 July, I shall continued to be involved in local history, giving talks and I shall continue writing.”