Three journalists have left a regional daily to work as local democracy reporters at a rival television channel.

Matt Jarram, Andrew Topping and Anna Whittaker have made the move from the Nottingham Post to Notts TV after the latter won the contract to cover Nottinghamshire under the BBC-funded scheme.

The right to cover Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council was previously held by Post publisher Reach plc but changed hands after the contracts were put out to tender as part of an expansion of the scheme.

Nottinghamshire’s seven district councils will also now be covered by the scheme as a result of its expansion.

From left: Andrew topping, Matt Jarram and Anna Whittaker

Matt was previously crime correspondent at the Post, while Andrew and Anna were both senior reporters.

Posting on Twitter, Andrew wrote: “It’s been an amazing 18 months working alongside a brilliant team but from 1 July I will take on a new role as local democracy reporter at Notts TV covering councils across Nottinghamshire.

“It brings to an end three years as a local reporter covering my home town Mansfield, and it has been a privilege getting to know the ins and outs of the town where I grew up.

“But I can’t wait to get going and to stick my teeth back into local politics in Notts, a passion of mine.”

Anna, who previously worked for the Derby Telegraph, added she was “beyond excited” to start her new role.