The editor of an award-winning weekly newspaper is leaving after nine years to take a new job with the BBC.

Ciaran O’Neill has announced his departure from the Derry News as he heads for a new role with BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs programme Spotlight.

Ciaran has been in charge at the News since 2008, and the paper has won several awards during his tenure – including Local Newspaper of the Year at the 2011 Regional Press Awards and Front Page of the Year at this year’s ceremony.

For the same splash, which covered a tragedy in which five members of one family died when their vehicle was submerged in a lough, the News also scooped the Front Page of the Year prize at the 2016 Northern Ireland Media Awards.

Ciaran O’Neill receiving the award for Front Page of the Year from host Nick Ferrari at this year’s Regional Press Awards

Ciaran, who himself was chosen as the Local Newspaper Journalist of the Year at the 2015 Northern Ireland Media Awards, said he had “mixed feelings” about leaving the newspaper industry.

The 45-year-old said: “I have worked in newspapers for more that 23 years and love the industry.

“However, I wanted a new challenge and I am really looking forward to this role with Spotlight which is a great programme with a great track record of investigative journalism.”

Before taking up his position with the News, Ciaran had worked for Daily Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph and the Derry Journal, where he started his career.

A recruitment process to appoint Ciaran’s successor is underway, and he will work his last day at the paper on Friday.