The Western Mail is to get a new editor.

Neil Fowler, editor for the past eight years, will leave the paper in September.

He will be succeeded by Alun Edmunds, who currently edits Wales on Sunday.

Neil, (46), joined The Western Mail in 1994 and was responsible for its relaunch the following year.

He said: "It is sad to be leaving but eight years in a pressurised and high-profile role like this is enough for anyone.

"I leave the paper in the most profitable and stable condition in its history, which I think is a reasonable achievement.

"I have built up many contacts and links in my 17 years as an editor and I now look forward to converting those into a new direction in my career."

Last year Neil was joint acting managing director of Western Mail and Echo Ltd for nine months, covering for a period of secondment, and was national president of the Society of Editors in 1999/2000.

He has previously edited three other regional newspapers, the Derby Evening Telegraph, Lincolnshire Echo and Newcastle Journal.

Western Mail and Echo Ltd managing director Keith Dye said: "I want to thank Neil for his efforts as editor of one of our leading titles.

"He has been a terrific ambassador for this company and has represented it with professionalism and distinction."

Alun, (38), has been editor of Wales on Sunday since 1996.

He was previously assistant editor of The Western Mail and associate news editor of the South Wales Echo, having begun his career with the company as a trainee reporter on The Post series in 1986.

He said: "The Western Mail is a great paper with a great history.

"It has a crucial role to play in Wales and becoming editor will be a wonderful challenge for a passionate Welshman."

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