GER COLLERAN, the editor of the I rish Daily Star, has been appointed managing director of Independent Star Ltd. This follows the departure of managing director Paul Cooke, who said he is leaving to take on "fresh challenges".

Mr Colleran (56) has been editor of the I rish Daily Starsince 1999. Prior to this, he was editor of the Kerryman.

The company has not yet announced a replacement for Mr Colleran as editor. Well-placed sources say they expect an in-house appointment soon from either the newspaper or the Independent News Media (INM) group, which jointly owns the I rish Daily Star. Among the likely contenders for the post are Michael O'Kane, the paper's current news editor, and Des Gibson, former editor of the now defunct Irish Daily Star on Sundayand currently a senior assistant editor.

Potential candidates from INM include Noreen Hegarty, editor of the online edition of the Irish Independentand Stephen Rea, editor of the Evening Herald.

In a statement, Mr Cooke said that while it was a difficult decision to leave the newspaper, he felt the time was right to take on a new challenge. “I have both the experience and the energy to make a significant new contribution. I have specific plans which I want to pursue but these are confidential and it would be premature to discuss at this point.”

Gavin O'Reilly, chairman of Independent Star Ltd, said he had been informed by Mr Cooke of his decision and wished him every success. Latest figures show the Irish Daily Starhad a circulation of 84,138 copies a day. Independent Star Ltd ceased publishing a Sunday edition earlier this year.