Jim Flanagan is back at Sunday Life as editor, returning to the Belfast title after ten years.

Previously deputy editor of sister paper the Belfast Telegraph, he succeeds Martin Lindsay who is now editor of the Telegraph.

Jim’s appointment sees him returning to Sunday Life, which was launched in 1988, after previously working at the paper from 1991 to 1996.

He told HoldtheFrontPage: “It’s a pleasure to come back.

“The period when I was here last was one which saw remarkable sales increases, and if we enjoy half as much success as we did first time around then I will be delighted.”

To mark the start of his editorship, Jim introduced himself to readers with a special ‘message from the new editor’, in which he outlined his plans for the future of Sunday Life.

He said the newspaper would continue to promote a cross-community ethos where the rights, hopes and aspirations of everyone could be fairly reflected.

He told readers: “Reconciliation of the nationalist and unionist traditions remains the fundamental political challenge facing our community today.

“Your newspaper will continue to oppose all forms of criminality and violence and any organisations supporting the use of violence.

“We will campaign for truly representative, power-sharing based on tried and tested democratic principles and tolerance of political diversity.

“And we will retain our independence of any political affiliation, be non-sectarian, supportive of the rule of law and vehemently opposed to all sexual, religious or racial discrimination.”

Jim, (45), was deputy editor of the Belfast Telegraph for ten years, and was also managing editor of the weekly Community Telegraph series.

He has also worked as a reporter and on the newsdesk of the Belfast Telegraph, and during his previous spell at Sunday Life was news editor and then deputy editor.