A football reporter has left a regional daily after 18 years after its publisher revealed plans to cut its sports coverage.

Miles Starforth has said farewell to National World, where he covered Newcastle United for the Shields Gazette.

Miles, pictured, began his career working for Trinity Mirror in Newcastle in 2000, moving to the Gazette five years later.

His departure comes after it was revealed in June that one of three sports journalist roles at the South Shields title was set to be made redundant as part of wider sportsdesk cuts by National World.

HTFP has approached the publisher for clarification on whether Miles’s role will be replaced.

Posting on X, he wrote: “I’m leaving the Shields Gazette after 18 years.

“It’s been a great privilege to report on Newcastle United, and thanks to everyone who’s followed me here on this journey – and the many managers, players and officials I’ve dealt with over the past 900-odd games.

“Thankfully, I’m leaving the post on a high, as the 2022/23 season was one of the most memorable I’ve witnessed from the press box in more than 23 years as a football writer.

“Special thanks to my colleagues, past and present, who joined me on this rollercoaster stint.

“Finally, I was told very early on in my journalism career that you’re only good as your next story, so we’ll see what the future holds.”