A regional daily editor made redundant last year has launched a new training service for businesses wanting to improve their communications operation.

David Helliwell, who edited Blackpool daily The Gazette and the Carlisle News & Star, is offering the media training scheme to businesses after launching his own media consultancy.

David, pictured, edited The Gazette for eight years before moving to Carlisle in 2011.

He was made redundant from the News & Star in a restructure in April last year.

David now runs Helliwell Media, his own company, and already counts the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce among his clients.

On what he hopes to achieve by offering the service, David told The Gazette: “Providing a human face and voice is an essential requirement for any business. But even the most successful business leaders can be phased when required to promote or defend their organisation in a media interview.

“Engaging delivery on TV, radio, or web can make all the difference to how a business is perceived by the public.

“Coming across as arrogant, ill-informed or out of touch can have disastrous consequences for a business’ reputation and future trading.