Gillian Gray, editor of the Blackpool Gazette and Blackpool Reporter for the past seven weeks, has now become editor of the Lancashire Evening Post.

Gray was appointed editor of the Blackpool titles at the start of April 2012, joining from the Wigan Evening Post to replace Simon Reynolds, who left in publisher Johnston Press' widespread shake-up. She was previously editor of the Wigan Evening Post. She will also take control of editorial at the Chorley Guardian.

As a result of her departure from the Blackpool titles, Jon Rhodes, currently news editor, will take up the editorship. Deputy editor Alison Bott is to leave the papers.

Steve Brauner and Richard Machin, editors of the Lancaster Guardian and Garstang Courier/Longridge & Ribble Valley News respectively, have also left their Johnston Press-owned titles. Machin has taken up a role as editor of the North West Evening Mail, while Brauner took redundancy. It is believed their roles are to be combined with Nicola Adam to take the helm.