AWARD-winning journalist Jim McTaggart has joined The Northern Echo to report on events in the Teesdale area.

The former editor of the Teesdale Mercury has returned to Barnard Castle from where he will write a weekly column reflecting the lives and views of people in the town and the surrounding communities.

As well as Jim's Teesdale Talk, which will be published every Friday, he will be contributing news stories and occasional commentaries drawn from his vast knowledge and experience of the area.

He worked in Barnard Castle for 22 years and last May joined a select band of the region's most respected journalists when he was presented with a lifetime of achievement honour at the North-East Press Awards.

Mr McTaggart, who lives in Darlington, was a reporter on The Northern Echo when he first came to the North-East.

He later worked on the Evening Gazette at Middlesbrough and freelanced for national newspapers before joining the Teesdale Mercury.

He said: "After being out of newspapers for a couple of years I'm looking forward to getting back to the business, albeit on a part-time basis."

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: "Jim is highly respected in Teesdale and we are delighted that someone with his local knowledge and experience in Teesdale is joining us.