One of Scotland's leading journalists has been appointed as Editor of STV Local - the new network of local community websites that launches this month.

Iain Hepburn joins STV from Daily Record and Sunday Mail, where he was Digital Editor with responsibility for editorial content, direction and development of websites.

STV Local, which will launch in pilot area North Lanarkshire this month, is a network of community based hyper-local sites which will be rolled out across the whole of Scotland.

Before working at the Record, Mr Hepburn worked for Mirror.co.uk, ManchesterOnline.co.uk and Aberdeen Press & Journal, among other print and digital media. He was awarded Multimedia Journalist of the Year in the 2009 Scottish Press Awards.

As Editor of STV Local, Iain will be responsible for the editorial content of the STV Local network, working closely with a team of regional and community editors to deliver compelling content for communities across Scotland, including local news stories, events listings and reviews.

The announcement follows STV’s recent appointment of David Milne (previously Group Digital Editor with the Herald and Times group) as Executive Editor of STV Local. As part of an ongoing recruitment drive, STV is recruiting a network of journalists, researchers, regional editors and community editors for the soon-to-be-launched digital initiative.

Mr Hepburn said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for me to be involved in one of the most exciting digital projects in Scotland. Naturally I'm sad to leave the Record, and value the time I've had there, however I'm very much looking forward to being part of STV Local which will reach out to communities across the whole of Scotland.”

Alistair Brown, Head of Digital at STV, said: “Iain’s digital and editorial background is a great fit for the growing STV Local team. He will bring valuable experience and skills to this major initiative and I look forward to welcoming him on board.”

IN DETAIL

• STV to launch network of local websites
• STV Local homepage