Observer editor Roger Alton has joined the Press Complaints Commission as an editorial member.

He replaces Dominic Lawson, editor of The Sunday Telegraph, who retired from the Commission at the end of last year.

Roger, who has been editor of The Observer since 1998, began his journalism career on the Liverpool Post.

In 1974 left the Liverpool paper to join The Guardian, where he held several posts, including features editor, arts editor, editor of the Weekend Guardian and assistant editor, before becoming editor of The Observer.

He said: "I am very pleased to have this opportunity to join the Commission.

"It has a vitally important role to play in setting standards of reporting and in protecting the public - and it is essential that it does so in a robust, independent and authoritative manner. I much look forward to playing my full part in that."

Commenting on the appointment, Professor Robert Pinker, acting chairman of the PCC, said: "The secret of the PCC's strength when adjudicating on complaints from members of the public is the synthesis of the views of editors, who are in a minority on the Commission, and independent lay members.

"It is therefore essential that we keep a good balance of editorial views - from broadsheet as well as tabloid papers, from the regional press, from the industry in Scotland and from periodicals. Roger fits the bill perfectly - and will bring a robust common-sense to our work."

There are sixteen members of the Commission. Currently eight members - including the acting chairman Professor Pinker - are lay Commissioners, while seven are drawn from among the ranks of senior editors in the national and regional press, and from periodicals. One lay position is vacant.

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