A Scottish daily editor is to take on additional responsibility for three sister titles after being named as editor-in-chief of his group.

Press and Journal editor Damian Bates has been promoted to the role of editor-in-chief of Aberdeen Journals Ltd

Damian became editor of the P&J in March 2011 following the retirement of Derek Tucker.

He will now take on overall editorial responsibility for the Evening Express, Citizen and ScotAds, although Alan McCabe will remain as Evening Express editor.

Publisher DC Thomson said Damian will take up the new role with immediate effect and will combine it with his current responsibility as editor of the Press and Journal.

Ellis Watson, chief executive of publishing said, “We’re pleased to appoint Damian in this new position which shows our commitment to Aberdeen Journals, not only to our staff members but also to the wider communities we represent.

“Damian will play a key role in all DC Thomson developments, representing the Aberdeen business in internal and external matters.”

Damian joined Aberdeen Journals in August 2003 as deputy editor of the Evening Express in the days when it was owned by Northcliffe.

A former assistant editor at the Telegraph and Argus in Bradford, he became editor of the Evening Express in April 2006 before taking up his current role.