A former editor has returned to the regional press after a break of almost six years from the industry.

Bede MacGowan has joined Reach plc as a content editor working on its Gloucestershire Live news website.

Bede, pictured, spent almost eight years as an editor working for Reach forerunners Northcliffe, Local World and Trinity Mirror before leaving the industry in 2016.

He ran the Llanelli Star between 2009 and 2013, having served as news editor at the South Wales Evening Post prior to that.

Bede then edited the Wells Journal, Central Somerset Gazette, Shepton Mallet Journal, Cheddar Valley Gazette, Frome Standard and Somerset Guardian for three years.

He left the Somerset titles in 2016 to become online editor with Select Science, a global online publisher working with scientists and manufacturers across the world to “make the future healthier”.

Bede has now joined Gloucestershire Live after leaving his role at Select Science in November.

Jacqui Merrington, Reach’s audience and content director for the South-West, told HTFP: “It’s great to have Bede back in the South-West.

“He brings a wealth of news and leadership experience from his previous roles in our print operation and on the specialist publications he’s worked on outside the business.

“He has already had a great impact in Gloucestershire, thanks to his passion for local news and storytelling and ability to connect with people and audiences.”