Former lobby correspondent Paul Linford has joined Northcliffe's online division to develop the newspaper websites and explore new commercial avenues.

Since 1996, he has been the Newcastle Journal's political editor and most recently assistant editor (politics).

His move to Northcliffe Electronic Publishing marks a return to Derby for Paul, (41), who was political correspondent of the Evening Telegraph from 1989-1992.

He said: "After nine years in London it is great to be back home in Derbyshire. This job is very much a new departure in my career and although I have a lot to learn about new media I am confident of making a success of it."

He is replaced at The Journal by Zoe Hughes, (29), who started her career at the Lancaster Guardian in 1994.

She has since worked on the Garstang Courier, Basingstoke Gazette, and for the Press Association in Portsmouth and the parliamentary lobby for Northcliffe Newspapers, where she has been based for three years.

Editor Brian Aitken said: "We are delighted to welcome a journalist of Zoe's calibre and potential to the paper.

"We did not have to advertise the position. Political editor of The Journal is one of the plum jobs in the regional press and word of mouth alone meant we had a strong list of candidates.

"Over the years Paul Linford has helped The Journal set the agenda on the North-South funding divide and devolution - Zoe arrives at an exciting time and I am confident she will take our coverage to new levels."

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