A regional editor is leaving her role after almost nine years to pursue a new career in the art world.

Carol Burns has announced her departure from Archant title Cornwall Life, which she has edited since 2013.

Carol, pictured, trained at the Leicester Mercury, where she became health correspondent.

She later turned freelance and moved to Cornwall with her family in 2011.

While running her freelance business, Carol studied for a BA and Master’s degree in fine art and has continued to paint and exhibit alongside her work at Cornwall Life.

During a month-long furlough last February, she also developed her own textile and design business.

Looking back on her achievements at Cornwall Life, Carol pointed out she had taken the publication to a national audience and tripled sales during her tenure.

Carol, who will continue to work as sister title Devon Life’s art editor, told HTFP: “I have been a journalist and editor for more than 20 years, but I also spent seven years studying fine art.

“I’m lucky enough to have been able to combine both my skill sets in journalism and art in recent years, but it’s time to take the plunge and concentrate on the art and design.”