The editor of the Irish Independent, Claire Grady, is to step down from the post. She was the first female editor at the paper, as well as former editor of The Herald.

Ms Grady will leave the role with immediate effect.

The group head of news at Independent News and Media (INM), Ian Mallon, will take over the role on an interim basis.

INM says a process to appoint a new editor is being initiated.

INM editor in chief Stephen Rae has said "I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Claire Grady for her work as editor of the Irish Independent."

"Claire was the first female editor at the Irish Independent and played a major role in developing the title and in leading the rollout of the new production system at the title," he added.

It was announced earlier this month that editorial staff at The Herald and Sunday World newspapers were to merge as part of a digital strategy.