A new managing director started work at the Telegraph & Argus yesterday.

Charles Birrell, left, takes over from David Coates who has become regional managing director of the T&A and its sister papers in the North East.

Mr Birrell started in newspapers more than 25 years ago as a trainee advertising executive in his native Scotland.

He worked his way up through the advertising department on The Scotsman newspaper and was advertising manager during the launch of Scotland on Sunday.

He subsequently worked for the Scottish and Universal newspapers group and then moved onto Score Press which published newspapers across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

Of his move to Newsquest, which owns the T&A, Mr Birrell said: "I am excited about joining the team and continuing to develop the newspapers into the communities in which they serve."

Mr Coates will be based at Darlington, looking after Newsquest's titles in the North East which include the York Evening Press and the Northern Echo.

He started in Bradford eight years ago as newspaper sales manager and became managing director in 2002.

Mr Coates said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as managing director and am thrilled I am handing my responsibilities to someone as capable as Charles. I am sure he will relish the opportunity of playing an active role in the community and developing such a great business."