The Midlands News Association has appointed its first woman daily newspaper editor as part of a change-round at two of its flagship newspapers.

Sarah-Jane Smith (below), deputy editor of the Shropshire Star for the past six years, has been appointed as the paper’s new editor.

She officially took up the role on Wednesday.

This follows Warren Wilson’s move from the editor’s chair at the Express & Star, Wolverhampton.He became managing director of Shropshire Newspapers Ltd this week.

Adrian Faber, previously editor of the Shropshire Star for four years, replaced Warren as editor of the Express & Star.

Sarah-Jane, (43), joined the Midlands News Association as a trainee reporter on the Bridgnorth Journal in 1979.

She then joined the Express & Star where she worked at various branch offices before becoming the paper’s first female chief reporter and later its assistant news editor.

She said: “I am delighted to be first woman editor of one of MNA’s dailies.

“I have always been extremely proud of the Shropshire Star and the team of people who work here and hope we will be able to take it from strength to strength.”