A weekly editor has been promoted to lead a sister daily title after just six months in his current role.

Paul Burton, who was appointed editor of the Express & Echo, Exeter in June, has today been named as the new boss of Plymouth daily The Herald.

His appointment follows the departure of Ian Wood, editor in Plymouth for the past 20 months, who leaves the paper today.

While in Exeter Paul, pictured left, has overseen the launch the Echo’s new website, a new edition of the paper and a new leisure supplement.

Blanche Sainsbury, managing director of the South West Media Group said: “I am delighted that Paul will be joining the Herald team.  He is a talented editor who has brought new ideas for building audience online and in-print.

“He is a community champion and is passionate about the development of our people.”

Added Paul: “Leaving Exeter will be tremendously difficult; the team has been wonderful to work with and have managed to more than double the Echo’s online audience. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge in Plymouth, The Herald is newspaper with a big reputation and extremely talented team who I know are committed to making The Herald and herald.co.uk the best it can be.”

Paul will start his new role on Monday 9 December.  Jim Parker, editor of Torquay’s Herald Express will oversee the Express and Echo until Paul’s successor is appointed.

Before joining the Express & Echo Paul spent five years at the Western Daily Press as head of content and then deputy editor.

Ian’s departure was announced to staff on Wednesday afternoon.  A former deputy editor of the Manchester Evening News, he took the helm at The Herald in May 2012.