Charlotte Hart has become the new editor of the Great Barr Observer - just six years after joining the paper as a junior reporter.

The 26-year-old joined the weekly title, part of Central Independent Newspapers, after leaving college, and was appointed chief reporter in 2001.

Earlier this year she became news editor of larger sister paper the Sutton Coldfield Observer, and has now won her first editorship.

She suceeds Mark Eustace, who is now editor of the Sutton Coldfield Observer.

Charlotte (pictured) told HoldtheFrontPage: "I'm proud of myself - to become an editor at 26 is quite an achievement.

"I've watched the paper grow in both pagination and popularity and would like to take some responsibility for that as a reporter.

"Now it will be nice to be able to have more impact and I have lots of ideas."

In her first week Charlotte has already introduced two new features - 'Wedding of the Week' and 'Look Back', which will showcase an old photograph each week.

Charlotte said: "The Wedding of the Week is popular in the Sutton Coldfield Observer but we have never had space before.

"'Look Back' has also already generated a lot of letters and I hope these will be regular features that readers will look out for and have input with."