A regional daily editor has announced he is leaving the newspaper he first joined as a sub-editor 27 years ago.

Kevin Ward, left, will work his last day with the South Wales Argus on Friday after four years in charge to set up his own media consultancy business.

Kevin also has a wider role as regional managing editor for Newsquest Wales & Gloucestershire, and will officially leave the company at the end of the year.

He will continue to contribute to the Argus as a writer, columnist and consultant, and will be replaced as editor of the newspaper by his current deputy Nicole Garnon.

Said Kevin: “I am stepping down as editor of the daily newspaper for the city that has been my home for more than a quarter of a century and I am doing so with a heavy heart.

“But it is the right time to move on and I’m excited by the opportunities ahead and keen to test my skills in different sectors with my own business. I think I can make a real difference to Newport and the surrounding area with some of the activities I have planned in the new year.

“I will miss the buzz of the newsroom and working with a hugely talented team of journalists. I am leaving a business with a great vision and in a strong print and digital position.

“I’ve worked with Nicole for 27 years and she will be an outstanding editor.”

Kevin took up his current role on 1 March 2012, St David’s Day in Wales.

He previously worked for the Argus in a range of editorial roles from 1989 until 2007, working his way up to deputy editor, before spending five years as editor of the Worcester News.

Under his editorship, the Argus has achieved its highest combined print and digital audience for more than a decade and was the best-performing daily newspaper in Wales in terms of print sales during the first six months of 2016.

The news was announced to Argus staff today by the managing director for Newsquest Wales, Hussain Bayoomi.

He said: “Kevin has played an important role in the development of the East Wales business as an ambassador for Newsquest. We wish him every success with his new business and look forward to working with him in the future.

“I would personally like to thank Kevin for both his contribution to the business and for his support.”