Grantham Journal editor Nick Woodhead (pictured) has moved within Johnston Press to become group editor for its weekly titles in the East Midlands.

The reshuffle was prompted by the retirement of Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian editor Alan Salt, who has retired after 23 years with the company.

Nick’s new position is based at Spalding where he will edit the bi-weeklies and also be responsible for the strategic editorial development of the other newspapers and websites.

During his 14-year editorship, the Journal won a string of industry awards, notably for its ground-breaking work on the Beverly Allitt murder trial and for the special publications to mark its 150th anniversary in 2004.

But the paper’s greatest achievement has been to show 21 consecutive year-on-year circulation increases.

He is only the 10th editor of the Journal in its 152-year history.

Tim Robinson, managing editor of Lincolnshire Newspapers, has been appointed editor of the Grantham Journal in addition to his current role, and will be editor-in-chief of the Melton Times, which is edited by Michael Cooke.