A new national news service has unveiled the first member of its regional reporting team.

GB News has announced the appointment of Rachel Sweeney, who has worked for ITV Tyne Tees for 13 years.

Rachel, pictured, will serve as the North East reporter at the new channel, which is due to launch this year.

The station’s chairman Andrew Neil has previously stated a regional focus would be “vital” to the new project, with 120 journalism jobs being created across the United Kingdom.

In a piece for the Daily Express, he wrote: “After years of cutbacks in regional newspapers, there’s a void that is crying out to be filled with more than a local Facebook group.”

Rachel’s appointment was announced by GB News on Twitter this afternoon.

In a statement, it said: “We’re thrilled to announce the first of our regional reporting team.

“Rachel Sweeney from County Durham has spent 13 years as a journalist for ITV Tyne Tees.

“She’s brought Good Morning Britain viewers their North East headlines for nine years and knows her patch inside out. Welcome, Rachel.”

Rachel herself said: “After 13 very happy years at ITV Tyne Tees – especially the last 9 presenting the regional news throughout, I am turning my 3.30am alarm off to join the team at GB News.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to say I’ll be North East reporter.”