FORMER Ermysted's student and Dales resident Chris Mason has been named the new political editor of BBC News.

He will take over from Laura Kuenssberg next month, the broadcaster announced.

Chris, who grew up in Grassington and studied at Cambridge University, has been a political correspondent at the broadcaster for more than a decade, reporting from Westminster across TV, radio and online.

He has presented the BBC Radio 4 programme Any Questions? since 2019.

He said: “What a tremendous privilege to take on what, for me, is the most extraordinary job in British broadcasting and journalism. I clamber upon the shoulders of giants like Laura, Nick and Andrew with a smattering of trepidation and a shedload of excitement and enthusiasm.

“To lead the best team of journalists in the business on the best news patch of the lot is something I’d never even dared dream of. I can’t wait to get started.”