The former editor of the now-defunct Liverpool Post is to over as boss of its North Wales stablemate, publisher Trinity Mirror has announced.

Mark Thomas, left,  described the closure of the Post last month as his “saddest day in journalism.”

Trinity Mirror said at the time that Mark would be offered a new role with the company, and he has now been unveiled as the new editor of the North Wales Daily Post, based in Llandudno.

He replaces Alison Gow, who made a surprise pre-Christmas move to become Trinity’s deputy digital publishing director, heading up a new digital innovation unit.

Said Mark: “I am tremendously excited to be taking up this new role.  The Daily Post in Wales is like the Echo in Liverpool – it is the heart and soul of the community it serves.

“Having covered North Wales as part of my Press Association patch for 14 years, and spent many a happy childhood holiday there, it is a region I have a great deal of affection for. I also know quite a few of the Llandudno Junction editorial team, having met or worked with them over the years.

“Alison Gow is leaving the Daily Post in robust good health, and taking over from her is a big challenge, but one which I know I will relish.

“After the sadness of the last few weeks, this is a wonderful start to 2014 for me, and I really couldn’t be more delighted.”

As well editing the Liverpool Post before and after its switch to weekly publication in 2011, Mark has also been North of England correspondent for the Press Association, investigations editor of the Liverpool Echo, and author of a book on the James Bulger murder case.

Alison has tweeted her congratulations to her successor, calling him “a great journalist, and a top bloke.”