Newsquest, the UK’s leading local media group, has announced the appointment of Tim Lethaby as Editor of its titles in North Somerset.

Tim has taken on an expanded role within the company as Regional Editor for the South West region, which includes the Weston Mercury and North Somerset Times.

These titles were previously owned by the Archant media group, which was bought by Newsquest earlier this year.

Tim was previously Editor for Newquest's Somerset region, which includes the Somerset County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News, and Chard & Ilminster News.

He will continue to run the editorial department of these titles, along with the other former Archant titles the Sidmouth Herald, Exmouth Journal, Midweek Herald, Budleigh Journal and Ottery Herald.

Tim has previously been Editor of the Western Gazette, the Mid Somerset Series of Newspapers, and the Blackmore Vale Magazine. He joined Newsquest in December last year from Nub News where he was Southwest Regional Editor.

He said: “I am delighted to be take on this new adventure with some of the most well-known news titles in the South West.

“I am relishing the prospect of leading these great regional news brands. The opportunity to further develop the titles’ digital offering through quality local content is incredibly exciting.

“As someone who is Somerset born and bred, the opportunity to take the reins at titles that I have always held in high regard was not one I could ignore, and I am looking forward to working with what is clearly an incredibly talented team.

"Of course, at the heart of these titles are the readers and I would love to hear from everyone about what they like, and don't like, so it will help me shape the publications and their websites moving forward.

"I will also soon be organising some Meet the Editor sessions in local cafes and coffee shops to chat to the readers in person about what the community feels are the main issues that we need to focus on."

Tim has lived in Somerset all his life, and has attended far too many Glastonbury Festivals, wassails and Somerset County Cricket Club matches than he can remember.

As well as a love for Somerset Cricket, Tim is a long-suffering supporter of Aston Villa and Bath Rugby.