Newsquest Essex’s Colin Channon has quit after nine months in the job.

Channon is stepping down as editor-in-chief of The Echo, which serves South Essex, and sister daily the Colchester Gazette, having taken over from Martin McNeill in January. He will move over to the role of head of editorial at Car Dealer magazine, based in his home town of Gosport. He can be found tweeting @colinchannon

Following his departure, his role will be split, with separate editors appointed for the Gazette and The Echo.

Chris Hatton, deputy editor on The Echo, has been appointed editor-in-chief for South Essex and editor of The Echo.

James Wills, currently editor of the Essex County Standard and head of content for the Daily Gazette, will become editor-in-chief for North Essex and editor of the Daily Gazette.

The changes take effect on 10 November.