Two sister dailies’ editorial departments are to be centralised into a “regional news team” as part of a restructure which has seen an assistant editor leave the business.

Newsquest has announced the creation of the Lancashire regional news team, which will be drawn from staff at the Bolton News and Lancashire Telegraph.

Karl Holbrook, pictured, currently editor of the News, has been appointed the company’s group editor for Lancashire, while Telegraph editor Steve Thompson will report directly to Karl in his new post as senior audience and content editor for Lancashire.

Newsquest has also announced  that Mike Crutchley, assistant editor in Bolton, has left the company.

The restructure will see “key management roles” which are currently based at the Telegraph’s office, in Blackburn, move 13 miles away to Bolton.

However, reporters will continue to be based in Blackburn and the office there will remain open.

In an announcement to staff, which has been seen by HTFP, Newsquest North West and North Wales managing director Nick Fellows said: “Following the conclusion of a 28-day consultation period (ending Tuesday 16 April), the company is to progress the proposed centralisation of the Bolton and Blackburn editorial function.

“This will see the creation of a Lancashire regional news team, reporting to the newly created role of group editor (Lancashire).

“To that end, Karl Holbrook (editor Bolton Group) has been appointed as group editor (Lancashire), effective from 1 May. Karl will progress the first phase of wider news team centralisation, with the newly formed Lancashire news desk to be repositioned to our Bolton offices. Karl will continue to report into me.

“Steve Thompson (editor Blackburn Group) has been appointed as senior audience and content editor (Lancashire) and will report directly into Karl.

“Mike Crutchley (assistant editor, Bolton) will regrettably leave the business. I’d like to thank Mike for his significant contribution to this business over many years and wish him every success in the future.”

A Newsquest spokesman told HTFP: “We are centralising the key management roles which will now be based in Bolton. Reporters will continue to be based and operate out of Blackburn where we continue to have an office.”