James has played a leading role in the recent launch of the Cambridge Evening News morning edition and has been the company's editorial internet champion.

His role has also included editorial responsibility for the Cambridgeshire Journal magazine, which won the Newspaper Society's Regional Magazine of the Year in 2005.

He also led the relaunch of the weekly entertainment pull-out a "root and branch redesign" in a bid to attract new readers, and was joint editor of the Evening News’s business supplement.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining the Norwich Evening News. It is a superb paper with great journalists and I look forward to working with the team.

"There's a great buzz about the city and the challenge is make sure our news pages reflect that excitement and energy."

Archant Norfolk managing director Barry Dennis said: "James' experience in Cambridge will add a lot of value to the Evening News operation. The fact that he has lived here before and understands what makes Norwich tick is a big asset.

"Evening News deputy editor Tim Williams will continue his sterling work in the acting editor role for the time being," said Barry.

David Bourn resigned his position as Norwich Evening News editor for "personal reasons", with deputy editor Tim Williams taking over as acting editor.