A journalist who started out as a trainee on his hometown newspaper more than 15 years ago has become its editor.

Jon Stokoe, left, has been acting editor of the Whitby Gazette since his predecessor Damian Holmes was seconded to a training role.

Damian subsequently left JP to become deputy editor of the Newsquest-owned Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

Now father-of-two Jon, whose first job was as a trainee on the Gazette in 1995, has been confirmed in the editor’s chair.

He said: “It is every aspiring journalist’s aim to make it to the editor’s chair. I am lucky to have achieved that on a newspaper in a town that is known throughout the world.

“We have a really good team here and there are exciting times ahead. I hope to build on the sales of both Tuesday and Friday editions while maintaining the close links we have with our readers in town and the surrounding villages.”

Jon has spent most of his career with the Gazette but has had two spells away from the bi-weekly title.

Shortly after qualifying as a senior, he left to work on two golf magazines in West Yorkshire which saw him travel the world before returning home to the Yorkshire coast.

He also worked a sub-editor on the Evening News in Scarborough before returning to Whitby under Damian as content editor, then deputy editor.

Now 36, he is married to Michala and has two children Luke, 13, and Daisy, seven.

Added Damian: “I’d been editor at the Whitby Gazette for ten years, and it was a real wrench to leave, but when the job at Bradford came up, I had no doubt it was the right move for me.

“The deputy editor’s job at the Telegraph & Argus is a fantastic opportunity and I aim to play an active part in maintaining the strength and quality of the T & A in my new role.”