THE Northern Echo has announced that Hannah Chapman is taking up the position of Editor at the Darlington-based Newsquest title.

Currently deputy editor at the Echo, Hannah will be appointed to the role when group editor Andy Richardson steps down at the end of the month.

Hannah, who will also be responsible for the Echo’s weekly sister title the Darlington & Stockton Times, lives on her family’s dairy farm in North Yorkshire.

She joined the Echo as a trainee reporter in October 2003 after a year on a weekly in East Yorkshire and has worked her way up through the newsroom ranks to take the editor’s chair.

Hannah said: “The Northern Echo has always been my local paper. I only applied to study journalism after seeing an advert in its pages for courses at Darlington College.

“When I got a job as a trainee reporter on the Echo covering North Yorkshire I never imagined that one day I would become editor. Luckily when my car’s brakes failed on the way to the interview, it was not to be a bad omen.

“I’ve worked alongside so many brilliant people in my time here, and I’m thrilled to be leading such a dedicated team in providing top quality journalism to our loyal readers, both in print and online.”

Managing director David Coates, said: “Hannah is a rising star of our editorial operation and we are delighted to give her this opportunity. I am confident that she will make a great success of the role. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andy for the significant contribution he has made to the business and we wish him every success in the future.”

Newsquest Editorial Director Toby Granville said: “I’m delighted that Hannah will make history as the first female editor of one of the most prestigious titles in our group. She is enthusiastic, talented and totally switched on about the challenging and exciting times our industry is in. I know Hannah will bring a new dimension to the Northern Echo and make this great title even greater.”