A long-serving deputy editor has been promoted to the top job at a regional newspaper that went from daily to weekly last year.

David Atkin, left, has been named editor of the Scunthorpe Telegraph in succession to Mel Cook, who is leaving to edit the Nottingham Post.

It marks the final step on the ladder from reporter to editor for David who began his career at the Telegraph in 1995.

After a short spell away at the Lancashire Evening Post, he returned to Scunthorpe in 1998 before joining Northcliffe sister title the Grimsby Telegraph as News Editor in 2000.

He became assistant editor at Grimsby in 2004, but a year later was back in Scunthorpe as deputy editor.

David will start his new role on Monday, 7 May.

He said:  “It is a great honour to edit the Scunthorpe Telegraph.  We have a fantastic team who are committed to producing a first class newspaper for our readers and advertisers and I look forward to leading them.

“The Scunthorpe Telegraph is committed to championing the people and businesses of North Lincolnshire, celebrating their achievements and delivering the news they want.”

Mark Price, Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media Group managing director said: “David fully deserves this promotion.  He has played a key role in the conversion of the Scunthorpe Telegraph to its weekly format and was responsible for increasing the amount of content submitted by readers.

“I am very much looking forward to working with David to further develop the Scunthorpe Telegraph.”