A specialist sports title owned by regional publisher National World has marked its 80th birthday with a new website makeover.

The new Athletics Weekly website aims to provide cleaner design, easier navigation, and a more streamlined user experience.

The site has also introduced a partial paywall – while most stories remain free to view, some premium content will now be accessible behind a paywall to support high-quality journalism.

Managing director Wendy Sly, an Olympian and board member of UK Athletics, said: “Our new website is the next step in Athletics Weekly’s evolution and will see readers accessing more insightful video content and exclusive interviews.

“From its early days of weekly editions, to its current status as a digitally focused publication, the magazine continues to be an essential resource for enthusiasts of athletics.”

Athletics Weekly was purchased by National World in 2024.

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Publisher appoints new deputy chief executive

Newspaper and magazine publisher DC Thomson has announced the appointment of a new deputy chief executive.

Ella Dolphin, pictured, has been promoted to the role after nine years with the Dundee-based business, most recently as chief brand officer.

Ella will continue to report to chief executive officer Rebecca Miskin.

Said Rebecca: “We have been on a phenomenal transformation journey. We now have a strong foundation and an exciting growth trajectory. Ella has been a big part of building this momentum.

“We have ambitious plans and Ella’s vision, creativity and deep understanding of both our business and the wider media landscape will be central to our ongoing growth.”

Added Ella: “DC Thomson is a business with a purpose – whether that is advocating for all women in Stylist, supporting early literacy in kids through Beano or bringing the community together in Tayside and Fife with The Courier, and I am deeply committed to the positive impact on the communities we serve.”

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Publisher launches new visitor guide to county

A Northumberland-based publisher has launched a new visitor guide to the county.

As well as highlighting local attractions, The Northumberland Guide includes insights into the county’s history and recommendations for places to eat, drink and stay.

Editor Claire Jeans said: “The Northumberland Guide encourages the reader to get to the heart of the county through easy-to-use sections, informative editorial and quality images.

“I’ve really enjoyed putting it together, and have had great support from the many businesses that I’ve spoken to who are just as keen to shout about the wonders on offer in the county.”

Published by Offstone Publishing, the 100-page guide is free to pick up across the region and beyond, and is also available to download for free via www.northumberlandguide.co.uk.

It joins Offstone’s growing stable of tourism publications which cover the Lake District and Cumbria, North Yorkshire, the Tees Valley, and County Durham.

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Press regulation body appoints new chair

Press regulator Impress has announced the appointment of a new chair.

Caron Bradshaw OBE, pictured, has taken over from Richard Ayre who stepped down from the role in April.

Caron previously spent 15 years tenure as chief executive of the Charity Finance Group, and boasts a wide array of experience in the charity, regulation, and professional ethics field.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining Impress at a critical time, when mis- and disinformation is having such a huge impact on the fabric of democracy and society as a whole.

“Impress has such an important role to play on this and so many other related aspects. I’m excited to be joining a cracking team.”

Impress chief executive Lexie Kirkconnell-Kawana added: “Caron brings exceptional experience and wealth of knowledge that I know will energise our board and our staff and help lead us towards our goals of creating an information ecosystem that works for everyone.”

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Wildlife journalist died from mystery head injury, inquest hears

A regional writer on wildlife died from a head injury, an inquest has revealed.

An inquest into the death of Philip Yorke-Edgell, pictured, has been adjourned, the Fakenham Times has reported.

Philip, who was 81, wrote on wildlife in East Anglia and died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 23 August last year.

At an earlier opening at the court, the medical cause was given as subdural haemorrhage.

How he became injured currently remains a mystery, according to the Times.

At a review hearing earlier this month, it was confirmed that the inquest was now ready to proceed. The full hearing will take place on 13 October.

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Editor’s company builds app for local news title

An independent local news title has launched a new app built by the editor’s company.

Midlothian View has launched the app, which provides news and a business directory for readers.

It also displays local offers as well as the View’s ‘Loyalty Pigeon’ system, which enable businesses to run a loyalty programme for their customers through the app.

The app has been built by Pigeon Penguin Web & App Development, which is run by the title’s editor Phil Bowen.

Phil, pictured, said in an editorial announcing the app’s launch: “We are hoping that our readers find that it is a great new way to access our news stories and much more.

“We’ve tested it a lot but the proof is always in the pudding so any feedback is always welcomed.”