A local democracy reporter has been recruited to a senior digital role at a group of sister weeklies.

Newsquest has unveiled Megan Stanley as digital audience content editor working across its weekly titles in Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Megan, who trained at Cardiff University, spent more than two years with Hampshire Live before joining MyLondon Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon as an LDR.

She is joined in her new role by digital reporter Matt Rooks-Taylor, who recently graduated from a journalism degree course at the University of Winchester and is a fellow resident of Basingstoke.

From left. Megan Stanley, Kimberley Barber and Matt Rooks-Taylor

Newsquest portfolio across the two counties includes the Hampshire Chronicle, Romsey Advertiser, Basingstoke Gazette, Andover Advertiser, Salisbury Journal, Forest Journal and Hampshire Chronicle Lite.

Megan said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Hampshire patch and start working with the teams in Winchester, Basingstoke and Salisbury.

“This role is a step up in my career and I’m excited to be able to play a crucial role in sharing the hard work of my new colleagues.”

Matt added: “I’m very happy to be a part of this new team moving forwards. As this is my first full-time journalism role I’m really excited to get stuck in and make the most of my time working with such a talented team.”

They will work with the existing team of news reporters and three deputy/news editors – Andrew Napier, Sophie Day and Ben Paessler, who joined Salisbury Journal in October.

The new team has been created by regional editor Kimberley Barber, who took over the group as editor in December 2021 and added the Salisbury Journal to her portfolio in September last year.

She said: “We finally have a great team in place, and the addition of Megan and Matt will really help boost the great work our reporters are doing in their communities.

“Readers can expect to see some leaps forward for all these weekly titles and their websites and associated social media accounts this year. If anyone has any suggestions, then please get in touch with us.”