An editor voted the best of the 21st century by HTFP readers is leaving a daily newspaper after a quarter of a century in charge.

The Irish News has announced Noel Doran will step down early next year after 25 years in the post.

Having started his journalism career in 1978, Noel joined the Belfast-based News in 1993 and was appointed editor in April 1999, making him the longest-serving daily editor in the UK and Ireland.

Noel, pictured, was voted the best editor of the 21st century in a 2020 poll marking HTFP’s 20th anniversary.

During recent years, the News has also regularly topped the ABC circulation charts and is now the country’s second-best-selling regional daily.

Noel said: “It has been a great honour to edit the Irish News for the last quarter of a century and help to chronicle the changes which have swept across our society since the Good Friday Agreement.

“I have been very fortunate to work with many outstanding journalists who have rightly earned the trust of our loyal readers, and I am particularly grateful for the unstinting support of our CEO Dominic Fitzpatrick, and his late father, our chairman Jim Fitzpatrick, throughout my time with the paper.”

Noel will continue as editor until a new appointment is made and the search for his successor will now begin.

Paying tribute to him, Dominic said: “The Irish News expresses deep gratitude to Noel for his exceptional dedication and service to our organisation.

“His remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the paper’s legacy.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside him and I am certain he will look back on his extensive track record here with a sense of enormous pride.”