Amanda Patterson has been announced as the new editor of the Barking and Dagenham Post following the retirement of Dave Russell.

Amanda, (32), who is currently assistant editor of the Evening News in Norwich, will take up the position on May 16.

She said: "I've wanted an editorship for a while and I've been at the Evening News for six years, so when the opportunity came along I thought it was time for a change.

"I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into it on my own. I've got ideas to modernise the paper – I think it's been a while since anyone has taken a good look at it and there's always room for improvements in newspapers.

"I'll look at the Post with a fresh pair of eyes and with the team we'll bring it into the 21st century.

"I recently helped re-launch the Evening News so I'll hopefully bring the skills that I honed working on that project to the Post."

Dave, (59), is standing down after 41 years at the Post, including the past 12 years as editor, but will remain on hand until Amanda takes over.

He said: "When you start on papers it's always difficult to finish completely, so I'll still see all the guys and just fade away gently!

"I've had a lot of letters from people in the community which has been nice, especially when working in newspapers where you traditionally have to be critical."

Amanda said: "Dave dropped me a line before he left to let me know that he'd be around to help – obviously he's built up a lot of contacts over the years.

"He will be quite a tough act to follow – Dave's part and parcel of the paper. It'll be a challenge but I've never been one to shy away from a challenge."