The editor of the Belfast Telegraph, Martin Lindsay, is to retire at the end of the summer.

Mr Lindsay, who has edited the paper since 2005, will step down on Friday, September 4, after completing 47 years in journalism - most of it in various roles with the Belfast Telegraph.

Speaking today, Mr Lindsay said: "I have had a wonderful four years editing the Belfast Telegraph, but all good things come to an end and I intend to retire at the end of the summer.

"I leave a paper that is in very good health indeed, with a successful transformation into compact format earlier this year, confirming its position as Northern Ireland's pre-eminent newspaper.

"The media industry in general is going through a difficult period, but I have no doubt that the 'Tele' and the other papers in its stable will continue to develop and embrace the challenges of this multimedia age."

Mr Lindsay added: "I will be leaving behind many good friends and dear colleagues who have always hugely impressed me with their professionalism, flair and work ethic."

Mr Lindsay began his career with the agriculture title Farm Week, before moving to the East Antrim Times, based in Larne. He joined the Belfast Telegraph in the mid 1960s as a reporter, before moving on to become Chief Reporter, Deputy News Editor, Assistant-to-the Editor and Deputy Editor.

Along the way, he had a year-long stint at the Daily Express in Glasgow, before returning to the Belfast Telegraph.

In January 1993, Mr Lindsay moved to the Telegraph's sister paper, Sunday Life, as Editor, before rejoining the Telegraph as Editor in 2005.

Michael Brophy, Chief Executive, Independent News & Media NI, said: "Martin Lindsay will be sadly missed at the helm of the Telegraph. He has shown great leadership and brought the newspaper through the most radical transformation in its history.

"He is to be admired and thanked for his work with the paper. On behalf of the company and all his colleagues I would like to wish him a happy retirement".

Ivan Fallon, chief executive of Independent News & Media UK, added: "Martin Lindsay's long and distinguished career, which spans nearly half a century, represents all that is best in Northern Ireland journalism: fearlessness, professionalism, intelligence and, above all, integrity.

“He has done the Belfast Group proud over many years, including a highly successful time as campaigning editor of Sunday Life where he carried many an exposure and scoop, and then as editor of the ‘Tele’ as he always affectionately called it.

“We at INM are very proud of him and wish him well in his retirement.”