A weekly newspaper’s editor has pledged to offer “more focused local coverage” following the title’s takeover.

Joe Bulmer has welcomed a “fresh start” for the North Devon Gazette after it was bought from Archant by Clear Sky Publishing.

Archant announced the sale of the Gazette, along with the Torbay Weekly and Exeter Life magazine, to Clear Sky earlier this month.

Joe, pictured, has been “taking care” of the Barnstaple-based Gazette, his hometown paper, since the beginning of this year.

He previously worked for the North Devon Journal, Devon Live and the Bideford and District Post.

In an editorial, Joe wrote: “First of all, let me reassure you that our new owners, Clear Sky Publishing, are committed to the long-term future of the Gazette and are investing in the people and technology we need to improve what we offer to our readers.

“We know distribution has been important issue for many of you and I can reveal we are planning to provide more focused local coverage and broaden the areas we deliver to.

“The area we cover is vast and unfortunately, we will not be able to deliver a paper to every single home.

“What we can do for those of you who do not receive a paper through the door is make it easier for you to pick up a copy of our very reasonably priced publication, currently 80p, at local newsagents, shops and supermarkets.

“Alongside this we will also be making it simpler to access our e-edition.”

Clear Sky has been formed by Simon Bax, who was Archant’s executive chairman until last year, along with Torbay Weekly managing director Chris Coward.

Torbay Weekly editor Jim Parker, who is also a previous editor of the Torquay Herald Express, will serve as the company’s editor-in-chief.