The deputy editor at a Scottish daily has been appointed to step up and lead the title where he first started out as a trainee reporter.

Alan McCabe has been named as the new editor of Aberdeen daily the Evening Express after initially joining the paper in 1996.

He was chosen to step up to the editor’s chair after its previous occupant Damian Bates was appointed to lead sister title the Press and Journal.

This followed the announcement in November that long-standing Press and Journal editor Derek Tucker would retire in January after 18 years leading the Aberdeen Journals title.

Damian was named as Derek’s replacement shortly after his retirement and took up the reins on 1 March.

In an announcement to staff about the latest appointment, Aberdeen Journals managing director Alan Scott said the new editor would take up his position with immediate effect.

Alan, 32, was appointed to the role of deputy editor at the Evening Express last year after previously holding the role of assistant editor.

After initially joining the paper in 1996, he moved to work for the Daily Record as a sports writer but returned there in 2004 as chief sub-editor.