A regional daily editor handed over the reins to a former football favourite who produced a special edition of the paper.

The Leicester Mercury was guest edited for a day by former Leicester City midfielder Alan Birchenall who replaced Richard Bettsworth in the editor’s chair.

Alan, who is an ambassador for the club, worked with Mercury staff to produce what was billed the “Birch edition,’ which included interviews with Gary Lineker, Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno, and health guru Rosemary Conley.

On the day, the 70s midfield legend chaired the news conferences and made the final decisions on the choice of page leads, including the splash.

Said Richard: “The aim of having a guest editor was to create a special edition which was fun and entertaining for readers and a bit different from normal.

“It was interesting for us to have a different perspective on the news agenda and I know that Alan thoroughly enjoyed the day too.

“We wanted to give this special edition real substance and so we worked with Alan to commission a series of features based on his ideas.

“He carried out a number of interviews and asked his own questions and that produced responses which gave fresh insights into a wide variety of people and subjects.”

The initiative has had positive feedback from readers and was reported on by BBC Radio Leicester, Central News and by Leicester City’s own television channel, while the Mercury also filmed a video of the day, which can be seen on its website.

The paper is now planning to invite other guest editors.

Alan Birchenall, left, takes the Mercury's morning conference with news editors Linda Steelyard and David Harrion and editor Richard Bettsworth.