Mike Lowe has told of his sadness at leaving Northcliffe Newspapers, but is remaining tight-lipped about the reasons for his departure - and his plans for the future.

As we reported yesterday, Mike, (51), has resigned from his role as editor of the Bristol Evening Post after nine years in the hot seat.

Mike Norton is to become editor-in-chief of the Bristol Evening Post and the Western Daily Press.

Mike Lowe declined to comment on the reasons behind his departure.

But he told HoldtheFrontPage: "Northcliffe has been a wonderful group to work for and I had hoped to see out my career with them. Sadly, it was not to be.

"Mike inherits an extremely professional and very talented team in Bristol and I'm sure he'll take the Evening Post to even greater heights."

Mike had been editor of the Evening Post, the biggest-selling evening paper in the South West, for almost nine years.

It currently has an average circulation of 57,981 (ABC July - Dec 2004), down 3.1 per cent on the previous year.