Mick Ferris is to become the new editor of the Hackney Gazette.

Currently deputy editor of North West London Newspapers, he is due to take over at the Gazette next month.

Originally from Wolverhampton, Mick, (46), has had a varied career both in and out of journalism and was previously a professional musician.

He began his career in newspapers at the Town Crier in Cambridgeshire, where he stayed for nine years, working his way up the ladder to become group editor in 1988.

In 1996 he joined the Yellow Advertiser in Essex as group editor and, after a two-year break from newspapers, he joined North West London Newspapers a year ago.

In his role as deputy editor he has worked on the group's nine paid-for titles, the Camden Times, Kilburn Times, Willesden & Brent Chronicle, Wembley & Kingsbury Chronicle, Westminster Times, Hammersmith Times, Kensington Times, Paddington Times and the Harrow & Sudbury Chronicle.

Now he is looking forward to putting his own stamp on the Gazette.

Mick said: "It wasn't really a paper I was familiar with until I applied for the job, but since then I have become considerably more familiar with it.

"I have quite a few plans for the paper, but I need to discuss those with the staff first."