A weekly newspaper’s editor has left his role to focus on launching a series of new hyperlocal websites.

Ulster Gazette editor Michael Scott has been appointed Alpha Media Group’s first head of digital content, where he will oversee the publisher’s current portfolio of websites.

Michael, pictured, will also be responsible for developing a series of new hyperlocal sites, which comes after Alpha launched a digital title called Your Lurgan last year.

Clint Aiken, who was formerly editor of the Lurgan Mail and Portadown Times, has taken on the Armagh-based Gazette following Michael’s move.

Michael, who also previously edited the Newry Democrat, said: “It’s a great privilege for me to be appointed to this new role and I’m really looking forward to finding out what our readers and advertisers think as we bring them a range of content online.

“Last year the company launched Your Lurgan, a new hyperlocal website for the Lurgan and Craigavon areas.

“It has seen fantastic growth and we have exciting plans for the future, so I’m looking forward to carrying that forward.”

He added: “I want to thank my colleagues at the Ulster Gazette for their help during my time as editor and also to our readers, contributors and advertisers for their support during what has been a difficult few years for everyone.”

Coleraine Chronicle journalist Jonathan McNabb has been promoted to serve as Michael’s deputy and they will be assisted by a team of freelance reporters.

Alpha, which runs more than a dozen local titles across Northern Ireland, has been unable to provide further information at this stage on where the new hyperlocal titles will cover.