The Stroud News and Journal and Wilts and Glos Standard newspapers have a new editor and a new look.

Michael Purton a former editor of the Gloucestershire titles has resumed control, replacing John Wilson.

Mr Wilson, who previously edited both Gloucestershire papers as well as the Hereford Times and Ludlow Advertiser will now concentrate on the Herefordshire titles.

Mr Purton is also editor of the Worcester News, Evesham Journal and Malvern Gazette. He will retain responsibility for those papers in the latest shakeup.

Audience and content editor for the two Gloucestershire papers, Sarah Phaedre Watson is leaving to take up a new challenge, with a replacement being recruited.

In an announcement in today's edition, the Stroud News and Journal said that the new look is a "simpler, more modern typeface" which it said would make the paper "easier to read."

A decision has also been made to change what it calls the 'highlight' colour from red to blue as "the cooler colour gives more prominence to pictures."

The change is even more startling in the Wilts and Glos standard, where the highlight colour has changed from dark blue to... a lighter shade of blue.

The difference isn't all that marked - it took us here at Punchline towers a while to spot the difference between this week and last week's edition.

But if the papers believe it will work then we're right behind them.

We have always championed local newspapers because of the important role they play in ensuring that democracy is upheld and that those in power are held to account.

According to the most recent Audit Bureau of Circulation figures, the Stroud News and Journal sells 7,021 copies per week with the Wilts and Glos Standard recording sales of 5,596 per week.

Both papers still have small offices in Stroud and Cirencester, respectively and run websites that are updated throughout the week.