A publisher is taking on 25 new journalists in a bid to expand its regional digital coverage.

Reach plc has announced the new recruitment drive after revealing plans to “further expand” the company’s network of local news sites, including the launch of some new online brands.

The new roles will be based in Liverpool, Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Warrington, Taunton and Cheltenham.

Seven of the new journalists will be based in Birmingham to provide district level coverage of the city and Solihull, while five new journalists in Cardiff will bolster coverage of Valley communities, Cardiff and Newport.

Five new journalists in Manchester will serve new brands covering Trafford, Stockport and Rochdale, as well as the MEN’s already expanded coverage of Oldham and Tameside, while four journalists in Liverpool will serve new brands for Sefton and St Helens, in addition to MyWirral, which is due to launch shortly.

One journalist each will also be taken on to serve Warrington for Cheshire Live, Cheltenham for Gloucestershire Live and Taunton for Somerset Live.

Lloyd Embley, pictured, group editor-in-chief of Reach, said: “Our regional newsrooms are successfully giving their online audience more of what they want.

“Readers are visiting us more often and, when they do, they are more engaged than ever.

“This year we intend to continue strengthening our local teams in line with our customer value strategy, as well as making our newsrooms more representative of the areas they cover.”