Jonathan Russell is to leave the Paisley Daily Express after two years as editor.

The 35-year-old has taken voluntary redundancy at the Scottish & Universal paper, which is owned by Trinity Mirror.

The paper is one of the few daily papers in the UK to put on sales and currently sells an average of 11,091 (ABC July to Dec 2004), an increase of 0.1 per cent on the previous six months, when circulation increased by 1.47 per cent.

Jonathan told HoldtheFrontPage the move had been entirely his decision, but that he had no firm plans on what his next step will be.

He said: "I felt that after two successful years, helping to increase the paper's circulation in a difficult and competitive market place, it was time to move on and let somebody different have a go.

"For any daily paper to put on sales is a great achievement and is a credit to all the editorial staff.

"There is a small team here but with a lot of talented and hardworking staff and the success of the Paisley Daily Express is down to everyone."

Jonathan joined the Express in June 2003, succeeding Norman Macdonald.

He is also a former editor of the Scottish Mirror and previously worked as a Scottish correspondent for the Mirror.

He began his career at the Evening Express in Aberdeen in the mid 1980s and prior to joining the Paisley paper he had worked freelance for a year, mainly producing news and sports features for various Scottish titles.

Jonathan's departure is part of a wider editorial restructure at S&UN, with some editors taking on additional responsibilities.

Gordon Bury, currently editor of the East Kilbride News and The Reformer will take over at the Paisley Daily Express, and in turn S&UN editor-in-chief Joe Kelly will take responsibility for the East Kilbride News and the Rutherglen Reformer along with the Hamilton Advertiser.

John Murdoch will edit the West Lothian Courier as well as his current titles, the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser and Wishaw Press.