The Ilkley Gazette and the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer have a new editor.

George Hinton, aged 34, was previously group head of content for the Ackrill Media Group, based in Harrogate, and deputised for the editor-in-chief of the Harrogate Advertiser series of titles.

Throughout his education he focused on becoming a journalist, studying a BA Hons in Journalism at University College Falmouth, and a post-graduate journalism course at Darlington.

Before coming back to North Yorkshire, where he grew up, to take a job as reporter at the Ripon Gazette, he worked in London.

After working as a reporter he became a senior sub-editor at Ackrill’s before being promoted to the role of group trainer with Johnston Press, training staff at more than 200 offices throughout the UK and Ireland.

He returned to Ackrill’s more than two years ago and helped convert the Harrogate Advertiser series from broadsheet to tabloid.

George said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking up the post of editor at the Ilkley Gazette and the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer.

“They are great community newspapers with lots of history – clear to see in the big archive of papers and pictures dating back more than 150 years in the office.

“I hope to get to know many members of the community in the coming weeks and months and we’ll be looking to bring about some new developments to make our newspapers even better. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me about news stories or suggestions as to how we can improve the paper.”

Newsquest (Bradford) group editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: “I am delighted to welcome George to his new post.

“He has extensive experience in weekly newspapers and a strong background in journalism in North Yorkshire, in particular, and I’m sure he will do an excellent job in taking the Ilkley and Wharfedale titles forward into a new era.”