An editor’s 27-year spell of running regional media titles has come to an end after his role was made redundant.

Andy Cooper has announced his departure from Archant, where he ran Devon Life and had served as group editor for its South-West magazine titles for the past decade.

The move comes after Archant’s new owner Newsquest made Andy’s role redundant following its decision to close neighbouring title Cornwall Life.

HTFP understands Cornwall Life’s acting editor Catherine Courtenay will now take over the editorship of Devon Life as a result.

Posting about his departure on Twitter, Andy wrote: “My time on Archant’s magazines has come to an end.

“I left the company on Friday, having been told by new owners Newsquest that my role was redundant due to the imminent closure of Cornwall Life and the need to make further cost savings.

“I get it. I was on the other side of the corporate table in a former life and had to make some similar decisions.

“At the end of the day, it is now Newsquest’s train set and they must run it how they see fit.

“It has been the greatest privilege to edit Devon Life for these past ten years and I hope I have improved the magazine during that time.

“I am very proud of the writing and photography we published each month. The magazine has some truly first class freelance contributors.

“And at the risk of sounding like an embittered old hack – here goes then – it does feel like I have spent 10 years lovingly restoring and preserving a classic car, only to see it about to be reversed into a lamppost.

“I hope I’m wrong. It has been known.”

Andy began his career as a trainee reporter on the Harborough Mail in 1985, moving two years later to another Leicestershire title in the form of the Melton Times.

He then served as chief reporter of Suffolk weekly the Bury Free Press from 1988 to 1990, news editor of the North Herts Gazette from 1990 to 1991 and assistant editor of the Diss Express between 1991 and 1993.

At that point, Andy returned to the Free Press to become assistant editor before moving on to serve as assistant chief sub-editor of the Colchester Evening Gazette from 1994.

His first editorship came at the Brentwood Gazette in 1995, beginning a 17-year association with Northcliffe.

Andy went on to become regional editorial director of the group’s South West weeklies and editor-in-chief of Cornwall and Devon Media for seven years.

He joined Archant in 2012.

In his Twitter post, Andy added: “Ending on a positive…thank you to all of you who helped me make the magazine what it was.

“One of the joys of editing in a social media age is the interaction you have with your audience. It’s been wonderful to get immediate feedback on our work, good and bad.

“I have loved championing the brand and engaging with you here and while I may have left Devon Life I won’t be leaving Twitter so please stick around for more fun and frolics from me.

“There is plenty more to come, I promise you.”

Newsquest declined to comment when approached by HTFP.