An editor has left a weekly newspaper after 24 years of service for a new public relations role.

Mark Conway has said farewell to the Enniskillen-based Impartial Reporter to become communications and PR manager for glass manufacturer Encirc.

Mark, pictured, began his journalism career 24 years ago as a freelance football and Gelic sports reporter for the paper in 1999, joining its staff on a full-time basis in 2001 as a sports reporter.

He later served as sports editor, news editor and deputy editor before taking the top job in 2018.

His departure was announced last month, with former Reporter deputy editor Rodney Edwards returning to take the editor’s chair.

Mark, who left the Newsquest-owned Reporter on 30 June, told the paper: “Journalism is probably more important now than ever.

“Journalism has changed in how the message gets out there [due to the internet], but the core values must stay the same.

“We reflect what’s going on in the community; the public trusts us to tell their stories, and we hold power to account.”

He added: I am delighted to be joining the team at Encirc – it is a highly-progressive local company with ambitious plans for the next few years, and I am looking forward to bringing my skills and experiences to the table.

“It will be a new challenge, which appeals to me, and I am very much looking forward to this new chapter.”

Callum Baird, editor-in-chief of Newsquest Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Mark has been an exceptional editor of the Impartial Reporter, and a worthy holder of a prestigious position which stretches back nearly 200 years.

“Mark delivered strong print sales and digital growth in his time as Editor. He has been a pleasure to work with and we wish him all the best as he takes on this new opportunity.

”We’re also really excited about getting to work with Rodney [Edwards] to implement his ambitious plans for the title when he takes over.”