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Photographer returns to hometown paper after a quarter of a century

Donna CliffordA photojournalist who worked for her hometown newspaper while still at school has returned to take a new job with the title almost a quarter of a century later.

Donna Clifford has joined the Scunthorpe Telegraph, where she began her photography career with work experience in 1996 and later freelanced while studying for her A-levels.

Donna, pictured, left Scunthorpe to complete her NCTJ training in Sheffield due to there being no full-time positions available at the Telegraph and then spent three years with the Doncaster Free Press and South Yorkshire Newspapers.

She later had an 11-year spell with the Lancashire Evening Post and remained in Lancashire, working as a freelance, from 2014 onwards.

Donna, pictured, will also work for Reach plc titles Grimsby Live and the Grimsby Telegraph after securing her return to Lincolnshire.

Speaking to HTFP, she said: “My family still live here too so it’s an absolute dream to be able to come back here and be so much closer to them.

“A position here has not been available until I got this opportunity and to say I’m happy I got the job is an understatement.

“I’m so excited about starting at the place where I first discovered my love for press photography. It’s an honour to be able to return with all the experience and knowledge I’ve gained from Yorkshire and Lancashire and bring that home to Scunthorpe and Grimsby.

“I’m in my first week and I couldn’t have asked for a friendlier and more welcoming team.

“Despite lockdown, I’m already feeling part of an exciting newsroom and I’m looking forward to the many assignments I can offer and start covering North and East Lincolnshire.”