Sunday Herald deputy editor Richard Walker is to succeed Andrew Jaspan as editor of the Glasgow-based newspaper.

The 49-year-old, who has been at the paper since it launched in 1999, will take over in October when Andrew leaves to take on a new role overseas, as editor-in-chief of the Melbourne Age.

Richard (pictured) said he was looking forward to taking on his first editorship.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“The Sunday Herald is a fantastic paper and I’m looking forward to taking it onwards and upwards.”

Richard began his career on local newspapers in Ayrshire, and has also worked on the Evening Times in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday and the Scotsman.

He also worked for the Daily Record as deputy features editor before joining the Sunday Herald as production editor.

Newsquest Herald & Times managing director Tim Blott said: “I was lucky in that there were a number of excellent external and internal candidates to choose from.

“However, Richard presented some very exciting ideas for developing the paper while convincing me he could continue the Sunday Herald’s award-winning reputation for high-quality Scottish journalism.”