Kevan, (47), will join the newspaper from the Bristol Evening Post, where he is currently assistant editor, and where he has also served as a specialist reporter, news editor and sub editor.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of editing the Gloucestershire Echo.

"The provincial newspaper market is changing rapidly and I'm delighted that I've been given the opportunity to improve the Echo both in print and online."

He has also worked for the Carlisle News and Star and the Sunday Independent in Plymouth.

Kevan said: "I've loved working at the Bristol Evening Post and it will always be special to me, as will the Whitehaven News, where I was so proud to start my career.

"But Cheltenham is a wonderful town, I love the Cotswolds and I'm delighted to be the Gloucestershire Echo's new editor."

He takes over from Anita Syvret, who is to leaving to set up a media consultancy business.

The 22,000-circulation daily covers the eastern side of Gloucestershire - from Evesham in the North to Cirencester in the south.

Kevan takes over the reins on July 21.