THE Leigh Journal and its sister paper, the Bolton Evening News, have a new Editor-in-Chief - Stephen Hughes - who joins the company from the East Anglian Daily Times, where he was deputy editor.

Steve began his career as a trainee reporter on the Hereford Times before joining the Bristol-based morning newspaper, the Western Daily Press, where he worked as a senior reporter.

Later, he joined the Northern Echo, in Darlington, as chief reporter, before becoming assistant news editor and deputy news editor.

While in the north-east, he rekindled his passion for athletics, competing for Darlington Harriers on the track and road, and providing occasional athletics reports.

He then rejoined the Western Daily Press as news editor, later being promoted to senior news editor.

During that time, he was in charge of covering major stories, including the Fred and Rose West killings.

For the past four years, he has been deputy editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, where he has taken responsibility for a number of the paper's campaigns, the paper's Internet site, and the company's two weekly papers in Suffolk. He is married with three daughters, aged ten, eight and five.

His interests are mainly sporting, especially football, and he is delighted that Bolton Wanderers have secured a Premiership place.

He said: "From what I have seen and heard, the area is a busy, vibrant community with lots to offer and I am looking forward to getting to know the area more and meeting our readers and advertisers."

Steve replaces outgoing Evening News editor Mark Rossiter, who has taken up a new post in North Wales, where he will head the Evening Leader group. NEW BOSS: Steve Hughes