Staff at the Melton Times have welcomed new editor Michael Cooke who has taken charge of the paper this week.

Previously deputy editor of sister paper the Rutland & Stamford Mercury, he succeeds Andy Plaice, who is now editor of the Rutland Times.

Michael, (36), began his career in Cardiff, as a reporter on the South Wales Echo, and has also worked for the Express & Echo in Exeter and the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

He became deputy editor of the Rutland & Stamford Mercury three years ago and had a period as acting editor earlier this year, giving him a good grounding before taking on his first full-time editorship.

Michael (pictured) said: “I’m thrilled to be here.

“The paper has a great tradition of campaigning for its community and there are some very good journalists here.”

Over the past few years the Melton Times has enjoyed 17 consecutive ABC increases, now selling around 14,000 copies each week, and one of Michael’s key tasks will be to maintain this success.

Michael said: “One of my first jobs will be to do a lot of listening – to get to know my colleagues, the paper and the market.

“It’s a small team here so it’s important that we move forward together, drawing up an action plan for the next year to 18 months.

“Andy will be a hard act to follow but I’m looking forward to the responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead.”