Keith Redbourn is to become the new editor of the Hampshire Chronicle.

Currently editor of the Wokingham Times, he is expected to join the Winchester-based title in March, succeeding Alan Cleaver, who is moving to the Lake District.

Keith (pictured) said: "I'm proud to be taking the helm at one of the oldest and most respected weekly titles in the country and am looking forward to meeting my colleagues and finding out about the issues which affect the people of Winchester and its surrounding areas.

"My aim is to build on the success of the Chronicle and make the paper even more relevant to its readers and advertisers."

Keith, (48), has been editor of the Wokingham Times for the past six years, having previously worked for the Worcester Evening News, the Bracknell News and the Reading Chronicle, starting his career with the Press Association.

During his time in Wokingham the paper has proved a success, most recently winning the Newspaper Society award for best paid-for weekly newspaper of the year.

He has also overseen a redesign of the broadsheet title, which included the launch of the tabloid leisure supplement X2, and saw the Times enjoy its most successful reader campaign, raising more than £80,000 to extend a pavilion at the town's hospital as part of the paper's centenary celebrations.

Keith said: "I feel it's good to leave on a high. We've achieved a lot during my time here and now I'm looking forward to progressing to a bigger paper with a lot of potential."

Like the Wokingham Times, the Hampshire Chronicle is a traditional broadsheet serving an affluent area.

But Keith's new role will bring extra responsibilities as the Chronicle sells around 17,000 copies a week - compared to the Times' 10,000 - and has a much larger staff.

He will also be responsible for its paid-for sister paper, the Romsey Advertiser.

Keith said: "I've always loved Winchester and thought if the opportunity came up it would a lovely place to live and work.

"I only live 40 miles up the road from the Chronicle, but you can't be an editor at arms length. I think it's crucial to live within the circulation area so you can get a good feel for what people want and who they are."