Dave Anderson has been appointed assistant editor of The Northern Echo.

An experienced journalist, he has previously been deputy editor of the Shields Gazette, and has been working as a freelance in the North East since 2001.

He also worked in Spain for a while after going on holiday with his wife Margaret.

Dave (pictured) got bored, rang the local morning paper and did a few shifts - and ended up being offered the editor's job on the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

He has also been news editor of several evening and Sunday papers and part of his new role on the Echo will be to strengthen the news gathering operation.

Dave said: "I've been given a great opportunity on a great paper. This newsroom is full of award-winners.

"To say I am delighted to be given the job is an understatement."