Regional publisher Newsquest has appointed a new editor for one of its stable of local lifestyle magazines.

Chantelle Dietz, pictured, has taken over this month as editor of Lancashire Life.

Chantelle, who holds a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire, has previously held roles associate editor at Haymarket Media Group as well as editing an independent lifestyle magazine in the North West.

Said Chantelle: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Lancashire Life as editor. Having grown up in Lancashire, the magazine has always held a special place in my heart.

“I’m excited to work with such a talented team and to continue telling the stories that matter most to our readers.”

Lee Taylor-Craddock, commercial director for Newsquest North West, added: “Chantelle’s expertise, creative vision and deep connection to the county make her the perfect fit for Lancashire Life.”

---

A city website set up by Reach plc as one of its first standalone digital newsbrands has marked its first decade.

Belfast Live, launched in 2015, was the first of Reach’s ‘Live’ news brands and has gone on to become one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial news sites.

Editor Sheena McStravick said: “What a truly momentous milestone to see Belfast Live mark 10 years since its launch! From humble beginnings amidst a very competitive news scene, Belfast Live has grown to become the best read commercial news-brand in Northern Ireland, and we’re still growing our audience year on year.

“Our strength has always been our committed and very talented team of journalists who work tirelessly 365 days a year, 7 days a week, without them, Belfast Live couldn’t be what it is today

Sales director Cherith Andrews, pictured above with Sheena, added: “It has given us great pride to watch how Belfast Live has captured the imagination of the advertising industry over the last decade.

“It is the only NI brand that can reach all communities at grassroots and is proving ever popular with the elusive younger audience – we believe it has become an essential part of the local media mix.”

---

Newsagents have welcomed new laws to tackle assaults and theft in shops.

The Crime and Policing Bill, which was put before Parliament last week, includes the introduction of a standalone offence of assaulting a shopworker.

It also scraps a 2014 law that classified shoplifting of items worth under £200 as less serious than other retail theft – making them less of a priority for the police.

Mo Razzaq, left, national president of the Federation of Retail Newsagents welcomed the move, saying the failure to protect retailers and shop staff had undermined confidence in the police.

He said: “The refusal to attend incidents that are deemed as low value or to have measured insufficient ‘threat’ levels have left retailers frustrated, as repeat offenders seem to steal and threaten with impunity.

“This new bill is a step in the right direction. What we need to see now is real action to stem the rising tide of crime against retailers and their staff.”

---

The BBC is set to reduce the number of county cricket commentaries it provides this summer, according to reports.

The corporation’s local radio stations have provided ball-by-ball commentary on domestic cricket for the past four years, as part of a deal subsidised by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Concerns had arisen that the service would be cut entirely following the end of the arrangement.

Now The Cricketer has reported that ball-by-ball commentaries for County Championship and T20 Blast fixtures will continue, but coverage of One-Day Cup games will now only be available once the knockout rounds of the tournament begin.

Previously, group games had also been covered as part of the deal.

The BBC has retained the rights to cover women’s domestic cricket, with decisions over coverage being made on a match-by-match basis.

---

A scheme which helped professional footballers to retrain as journalists has been wound down.

The partnership between the University of Staffordshire and the Professional Footballers’ Association has come to an end, in a decision described as “bittersweet” by lecturer Ian Bayley.

Graduates of the scheme include Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher and current Football Focus presenter Alex Scott.

Ian, pictured, told the BBC the degree course had “left a great legacy” and together with the university, the PFA had “redefined what a footballer could be”.

The PFA said its business school retains bases in London and Manchester.

The footballers’ trade union would continue to offer its members subsidised courses and degree programmes. It also offers financial support towards external qualifications.