The Swindon Advertiser’s new editor will be Dave King, currently deputy editor at the Southern Daily Echo in Southampton.

Newsquest made the announcement to staff at both newspapers on Friday, and Dave’s start date is to be confirmed.

Dave, (44), has been heavily involved in developing the Echo’s online presence through www.dailyecho.co.uk, and has also had a key role in training journalists at the paper, organising the Echo’s training brief.

Echo editor Ian Murray said: “I am very pleased to announce that Dave has this new job – it’s a well-deserved promotion and I am sure he will make a fantastic editor.

“It’s tinged with a little sadness though, as I will no longer be working closely with him.”

Dave was sports editor at the Echo before his promotion to deputy editor.

Before that he was sports editor at The News in Portsmouth.

Away from work he is a school governor and a magistrate, and is a keen sportsman, having run several marathons, including three London marathons. He is currently running around the British Isles in 80 races in 12 months, aiming to complete 80 events ranging in distance from 400 yards (the Maldon Mud Race) to 26.2 miles.

He is married and is a father of three boys.

Swindon Advertiser editor Mark Waldron has been appointed editor of The News in Portsmouth after three years at the Advertiser.

Mark had previously been deputy editor of the South Wales Echo in Cardiff and has also worked at the Hull Daily Mail and the Aldershot News.

He will begin his new role at Johnston Press-owned title next month, and Pauline Leighton will be acting editor until Dave takes over.