A leading regional political journalist has been poached by the Daily Mirror to join its Westminster team.

Jack Blanchard, left, has been political editor of the Yorkshire Post since 2012 and is the current chairman of the Newspaper Conference, which represents regional newspaper journalists based in London.

Now he is to join the Mirror’s political team in the run-up to next year’s election.

Jack tweeted the news to his followers saying: “Delighted to be joining the Mirror’s political team after four brilliant years at the YP. Thanks for all the kind messages, much appreciated.”

Beginning his career as a trainee at the Boston Standard in Lincolnshire, Jack covered politics for the Worcester News before joining the Yorkshire Post in October 2009.

He took over as its Westminster-based political editor in February 2012.

Mirror political editor Jason Beattie, himself a former political editor of the Birmingham Post, described Jack as “a great signing for the Daily Mirror.”

Said Jason:  “In his short time in Westminster he has already shown himself to be a top-class political reporter and proven story getter.

“He joins one of the strongest political teams in Parliament as it prepares to deliver unrivalled coverage in print and online of the 2015 general election.”