Two former “rival” journalists have teamed up to work together in communications.

Laura Bell and Ben Turner have united to work for Liverpool-based agency Social to run an operation covering Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria.

In 2008, Laura and Ben worked as education reporters on sister dailies the Liverpool Daily Post and Liverpool Echo respectively.

Laura moved on two years later to work in public relations, while Ben went on to become Reach plc’s first-ever breaking news editor – a role he held for eight years.

But now the pair, pictured, have reunited at Social, where Laura is a director and Ben has just been appointed senior account manager.

Ben said: “Although we were technically rivals we always looked out for each other and luckily she hasn’t held some of the jobs I sent her out on against me.

“I’m delighted to be joining her at such an exciting time as she continues to establish and grow Social’s presence.

“Alongside current work championing universities and the regeneration of towns through clients in market developments, Business Improvement Districts and construction I hope to use our combined expertise to support schools and colleges across Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and beyond.”

Ben has been in journalism since 1998 and also spent time as education reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph, senior reporter at the South Wales Argus and deputy editor at the Powys County Times.