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

Tim has taken on the new role as Editor for the Somerset region, which will include the editorship of the Somerset County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News, and Chard and Ilminster News.

Tim has previously been Editor of the Western Gazette, the Mid Somerset Series of Newspapers, and the Blackmore Vale Magazine. He has also worked as News Editor for the Bridgwater Times, and Burnham and Highbridge Times. He joins Newsquest from Nub News where he was Southwest Regional Editor.

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

“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.

“I would like to thank the Nub News team for a fantastic two-and-a-half years, and I wish them all the best going forward.

“However, 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."

Hussain Bayoomi, Newsquest Managing Director for Wales, Hereford and Somerset, said: “I am delighted to have Tim join the business at such a pivotal time. He is a highly experienced editor who will be an asset to our Somerset business.”

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.