ANDY Martin's position as Editor of the Daily Echo, Bournemouth has been made permanent.

He has been Acting Editor since February but his position has been confirmed today by Henry Faure Walker, Chief Executive of the Newsquest Media Group.

Vincent Boni, Managing Director of Newsquest Dorset, praised Andy's stint as Acting Editor and said: "I am always pleased when it is possible to recognise talent and achievement in our demanding media businesses and even more so when talent rises through the ranks.

"Andy is an accomplished and tenacious journalist who has championed the conurbation’s issues and triumphs for many years. Now he has the recognition and clout to enter the fray with even more vigour.

"With significantly higher audience numbers than any of his predecessors had to play with I look forward to where he will be taking us."

Andy was appointed Acting Editor in February after Toby Granville, then editor of both the Bournemouth and Dorset Echo, was seconded as Newsquest's Editorial Development Director.

Toby's position has also been made permanent and he will now focus on working with editorial teams across the group, supporting them to become genuinely multi-media.

Diarmuid Macdonagh, who has been acting Editor of the Dorset Echo in Weymouth, is also made up to Editor.