A journalist who began her career on a regional daily has won a coveted job as editor of a prestigious New York gossip column.

Emily Smith, who started out on the Shropshire Star a decade ago, has been chosen as editor of Page Six, which is published in the New York Post.

She joined the column as deputy editor last year and replaces Richard Johnson, who has stepped down from the editor’s role after almost 25 years.

After graduating from Liverpool University, Emily spent a year at the Shropshire Star before moving to work at The Sun.

She later joined the tabloid’s Bizarre showbiz column and was made US editor for The Sun in 2005.

Page Six was created in 1976 and charts gossip from New York on celebrities and leading business figures.