George Osborne’s appointment as editor of London’s Evening Standard today sparked responses ranging from the humorous to the incredulous as the world of journalism digested the shock news.

Twitter was abuzz with reaction to the appointment of the former Chancellor, whose journalism experience amounts to a few months writing for the Daily Telegraph’s Peterborough diary in 1993.

Trinity Mirror regionals editorial director Neil Benson announced he had “just landed a job as a brain surgeon” having once watched ER, while ‘gobsmacked’ former Yorkshire Evening Post editor Nicola Furbisher said she’d had to check the date wasn’t 1 April.

And former South Wales Argus editor Kevin Ward tweeted: “Delighted to announce that I’ve been appointed Secretary of State for Wales. The job will have my full attention 2pm-3pm every other Friday.”

KM Group editorial director Ian Carter suggested sports minister Tracey Crouch or culture select committee chairman Damian Collins might like a new job as a reporter with the group’s TV station KMTV.

And in a similar vein, Birmingham Mail editor Marc Reeves asked local MP Jess Phillips whether she fancied a job-swap, while Newcastle city council leader Nick Forbes volunteered to become the new editor of city daily The Chronicle.

Trinity Mirror’s regional digital director David Higgerson suggested that Mr Osborne should now consider his political future, saying: “You can’t be an MP and edit a daily newspaper.”

However, others were happy to offer Mr Osborne some practical advice on the challenges he may face ahead.

Former Croydon Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey posted: “If Osborne thinks making millions of pounds worth of cuts is tough, wait until he has to deal with a photographer who wants his lunch hour.”

HTFP readers also placed their tongue firmly in their cheek to have fun at the former Chancellor’s expense, suggesting he might like to apply for some of the roles currently being advertised on the site.

More advice for Mr Osborne came from the local paper in his Tatton constituency, the Knutsford Guardian.

Editor Carla Flynn published a list of ten ‘top tips’ for doing the job including being politically neutral, not hacking any phones and knowing when to say sorry.

In a more serious vein, Yorkshire Post political editor James Reed tartly questioned whether the new Standard editor would use the pages of his new title to make the case for closing the Yorkshire-London divide on transport spending.

But perhaps the last word should go to Northants Telegraph reporter Katie Cronin whose status update offered Standard hacks a potential crumb of comfort.