The new editor-in-chief at the Burton Mail has been named as Sun man Paul Hazeldine.

He will start his new job at the beginning of October after eight years as a chief sub-editor at The Sun, most recently helping launch the paper’s successful Saturday TV magazine.

Brian Vertigen will retire from the Burton Mail after a career in journalism stretching more than 40 years – the last 16 in his current role.

Paul’s track record includes editing weekly titles in Manchester and Staffordshire before leaving the provincial press for The Sun in 1986 where he worked for four years before embarking on a number of other projects before returning in 1993.

He said: “This job is going to be a great challenge and one I will relish.

“The Burton Mail is a paper for the community and I want to continue that and at the same time I want to pass on the experience I have gained over the years to continue its growth.

“My intention is to take stock of all the priorities and developments that will be needed to ensure that the papers continue to grow in stature.”

Managing director Jim Black said: “In Paul Hazeldine we believe we have found an editor both with the ability and experience to build on the current success of our titles and we look forward to him joining the company, while at the same time wishing Brian a long, healthy, happy and well-deserved retirement.”

Brian Vertigen’s career began at the Solihull News before he joined the Coventry Evening Telegraph and then the Birmingham Post & Mail, transferring to the Burton Mail after it was acquired by that company.

He said: “Although an outsider, I was soon made to feel very much at home here and have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure but after 40 years in journalism I think the time has come for a change.

“I am sure the area will continue to give the new editor the support I have enjoyed.”

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