A former weekly newspaper editor has co-founded her own PR agency after a career change.

Lisa Jolly, who edited the Bourne Local for three years, has set up Liberty PR with former colleague David Watts.

Lisa says the agency, based in the Leicestershire town of Market Harborough, has a proud “newsroom culture” and “healthy obsession with editorial standards”.

She began her career as a reporter at the Rutland Times in 2002, before becoming editor of the Bourne Local in 2004.

Liberty PR directors David Watts and Lisa Jolly, centre, flanked by new recruits Laura White and Tom Silk

Soon after the titles were bought by Johnston Press she moved to sister publication the Rutland and Stamford Mercury, spending seven years there as news editor under Eileen Green’s editorship.

Four years ago she changed careers and has since worked for PR agencies across the East Midlands.

Said Lisa: “My experience in journalism has played a key role in shaping the Liberty PR ethos. We are proud of our newsroom culture and our healthy obsession with editorial standards.

“The world of PR is increasingly competitive so there is no substitute for journalism experience when it comes to generating coverage for clients. We understand the pressures that journalists have to contend with and do all we can to make their roles easier.

“Liberty PR has enjoyed a fantastic start and we have expanded within our first two months. We have moved to larger premises within Harborough Innovation Centre and have recruited two additional members to the team.”

David has spent more than 25 years running marketing agencies.

He said: “Lisa and I previously worked together for four years and we found that our combined experience enabled us to cover all angles. In an ever-changing consumer landscape, it’s vital that we can adapt and respond, bringing the client on the journey with us.”

Liberty PR’s new recruits are account director Laura White, who has spent six years working in PR agencies, and account manager Tom Silk, who trained in journalism before taking on his first PR role three years ago.