Ten new journalism jobs are being created as part of a regional publisher’s investment in its “digital workforce”.

JPIMedia is launching the team of “search and trends writers” to be based at some of its biggest centres across the country.

The recruitment drive comes after the publisher identified search engine optimisation as an area for potential investment.

In the past month, rival publishers Reach plc and Newsquest have also launched recent nationwide recruitment drives aimed at expanding their titles’ digital operations.

The new writers will be “managed locally”, according to JPIMedia.

They will be based in Edinburgh, Leeds, Northampton, Doncaster, Peterborough, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Wigan/Blackpool/Preston, Sunderland and Belfast.

JPIMedia group audience editor Steven Chisholm, pictured, told HTFP: “We’re delighted to be investing in our digital workforce at an exciting time for our business.

“Newsrooms need a diverse range of skills to drive a successful business model and we’ve identified SEO as an area we want to invest in.

“Our new search and trend writers will be managed locally, augmenting our already skilled editorial teams.”